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‘The choice of the route Moscow-Barnaul might seem unreasonable as Aeroflot and Sibir already realize flights to the destination, while the total passenger volume is approximately 150,000 passengers per year, that according to Russian standards is not a lot’, explained Press Secretary ofSibir Airlines, Ilya Novokhatskyi. Nevertheless, a new player relies on its competitive advantage. ‘Aeroflot has TU-model aircraft flying to Barnaul from less convenient airport Sheremetevo, while Sibir does not provide its passengers with hot meals, that would be an advantage while a four-hour flight’, commented the Head of Marketing and PR Department of VIM-avia, Olga Rossik. Time of arrival to Moscow of VIM-avia flight – earlier than the competitors, right before a working day starts – is also an advantage. However, Sibir Airlines doubt the success of VIM-avia initiative. ‘Of course, they will attract some of our passengers but I am not sure they will fly to Barnaul for a long period’, commented Novokhatskyi.
According to independent experts, find VIM-avia initiative reasonable. ‘Regular flights are an obligatory condition for an airline and entering new more attractive market for new players might be problematic’, believes Dmitryi Gorin, General Director of Inna Tour Travel Company. Moreover, experts pointed out one more reason for the new flight launch by VIM-avia: ‘a company which owes many aircraft needs to constantly increase a number of flights in order to fill its planes and to encourage leasing payments. Therefore, I am sure they will seek any unoccupied niche. Besides, last year VIM-avia experienced often charter delays, therefore at the moment many tour operating companies are careful regarding co-operation with the airline’.
