The number of passengers on Kyiv-Moscow trains has increased by only 4-5% since the abolition of direct flights between Russia and Ukraine, the press service of the State Railway Administration (Ukrzaliznytsia) has told the CFTS portal.
According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the average occupancy rates of Kiev-Moscow passenger trains from 25 October to 17 November were 78% in the direction of Moscow and 71% from Moscow. These represented increases of 4% in the direction of Moscow and 5% from Moscow compared with the period of 15-24 October.
In view of these data, Ukrzaliznytsia plans to significantly increase the number of trains between the capitals of the two countries. The only exception will be the New Year and Orthodox Christmas holidays. Ukrzaliznytsia is currently is considering the possibility of scheduling additional Kiev-Moscow trains for 26 and 28 December 2015 and 8 and 10 January 2016.
As reported, direct flights between Ukraine and Russia were suspended on 25 October. Airlines based in neighboring countries have launched additional flights from Ukraine, thus enabling Ukrainians to fly to Russia through connect flights. The highest number of flights was launched by the Belavia airline (Belarus). Air Moldova also launched regular flights to Kyiv and Odesa.
