The Alps: Choice of French Connections

The main intrigue of the coming season relates to charter programs from Moscow to the French Alps. A number of charters will increase and airlines will operate three routes between Moscow and the French Alps. Firstly, tour operators intend to organize three charter programs to Grenoble instead of two. We remind you that the increase is explained by the fact that Erzog Travel Company left the Alpine Alliance (currently known as Ski-alliance) and organized a separate program. All three charter programs will be launched on December 30th and will be operated by VIM-avia Boeing-757. Mikhail Musinyants, said the interview to a BANKO correspondent that other companies will not be allowed to take block on the flights, consolidated by the company. Secondly, Aeroflot will operate flights to Leon after a two-year break. The flights consolidated by Inna Tour will be operated from December 30th to March 31st by IL-96 and TU-154. Moreover, CAPITAL TOUR will consolidate flights on the route. However, the company made a decision to operate not a long charter program as it was planned before but separate flights in high season in addition to the program to Grenoble of Ski-alliance. Finally, the French Club of tour operators intend to launch flights to Chambery. Boris Bogdanov, Director of Ascent Avia, confirmed that the program will also start on December 30th (A-319, S7 Airlines). It is not clear at the moment whether the market will cope with the announced air traffic volume. Experts say it will become clear after the peak period. ‘During the New Year all flights will be operated at their full capacity. Will the additional flights prove successful? Only time will tell...’,Bogdanov explained. He emphasized that February 10th and 17th will be the most difficult dates. Ilya Guralnik, Director of the Ski Department of CAPITAL TOUR, agreed: ‘even now the excess of February flights is evident. The planned air traffic volume increases the last year one by 30-40% not considering flights to Chambery’. According to the expert, it is not excluded that tour operators will try to attract tourists from other destinations by special offers. Furthermore, local factors will influence the fate of the routes. Thus, from the point of view of transfers Chambery is the most convenient; however the local airport is difficult in terms of landing conditions and imposes special requirements for qualification of pilots and aircraft size. Transfers from Grenoble and Leon take the same time, but Leon is considered to be more comfortable for tourists.