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There is still no information regarding consolidators of flights, airline companies and air traffic volume to the destination that of course affects the work of travel companies. For example, Dmitry Shevchenko, General Director of ICS Travel Group, commented on the current situation as follows: ‘The uncertainty will first of all affect small travel companies that usually face more difficulties planning their charter programs’. However, those companies, which want to increase a number of seats at 10-20%, can not take a final decision without knowing their colleagues’ intentions. Travel market players are mostly interested whether three charter chains will be launched repeating the situation of last year when Continental Airines, Sibir and VIM-avia realized flights to Larnaka. At the moment the decision concerning to flights has been already taken but the outcome regarding flights by Continental Airlines consolidated by Vesma is to be seen. The operator itself withheld comments on its plans for the season.
Meanwhile, the possible scenario is that both players increase air traffic volume and Vesma launch a third charter program in the alliance with Continental Airlines. In such a case Russian travel market will face another problem: ‘we should take into account that German companies have already cancelled 40% of their request for Turkey and will most probably reorientate to Greece, Cyprus and Europe. Consequently, those who plan considerate increase of air traffic volume might face shortage of hotel rooms in Cyprus’, said Vladimir Vorobiev, President of Natalie Tours.
