Who Will Need Moscow – Brno Flight?

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   The other day representatives of Czech region Moravia initiated negotiations regarding Moscow-Brno flights. In 2004 this issue was already discussed within the official visit of Moravian officials to Moscow. Besides, Travel System Bohemia intended to launch the same flight but the attempt failed due to lack of demand. A BANKO correspondent found out that Vnukovo Airport and Atlant Soyuz are involved in the current negotiations.
   Meanwhile, neither the Airline nor the Airport can assess the perspectives of the negotiated flight. Georgy Bautin, the Head of PR Department of Atlant Soyuz, said: ‘we need to evaluate the passenger flow at first. I think the final decision will be made next week’.
   The issue is believed to generate the greatest interest among touroperating companies as they are supposed to act as clients. However, travel market players do not show much enthusiasm towards the initiative. According to them Brno is not enough promoted in the Russian market: ‘the flight can be ‘useful’ only during peak periods when there is a shortage of flights to Prague. But there is no reason to launch Moscow-Brno flight on a regular basis’, commented Marina Likhacheva, Commercial Director of Amigo Travel Company. Simultaneously, experts divided opinion that the use of Brno-Moscow flight as an additional charter to Prague can also turn out to be problematic because Brno is 200 kilometers far from Prague. Irina Lurie, the Head of Tourism Department of Travel System Bohemia, explained: ‘a transfer will take 4-5 hours. Who will need the charter?’. There is an opinion behind the scenes of the travel market that the political interest is involved, as Atlant Soyuz is an airline of the Moscow Government. Experts find it difficult to forecast the outcome.