The Transaero airline company may move its regular flights from the Domodedovo airport to the Vnukovo airport as early as the beginning of the winter flight timetable, with Aeroflot’s low-cost carrier taking up the place vacated by the airline company at the Domodedovo airport, according to reports by the Vedomosti newspaper.
Transaero presently flies from three Moscow airports - Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Domodedovo. In total, Transaero transported 10.3 million people in 2012, including 8.2 million or 79% on regular domestic and international flights.
A source said that the transfer of the flights from Domodedovo could begin as early as the beginning of the winter flight timetable, when operation of a second runway at Vnukovo will begin. According to the source, about 5 million additional passengers may be switched to Vnukovo, mostly as a result of international flights transferring from Domodedovo. Meanwhile, it is not clear when regular flights may be transferred from Sheremetyevo and how many.
Transaero and the UTair airline company intend to create an aviation hub in Vnukovo, according to a top manager with one of the airline companies. Transaero is the largest player on the international air transport market and UTair has an extensive regional network. UTair performs only two flights from Domodedovo to Surgut and several charter flights while Transaero is one of the carriers based at the airport.
The source told the newspaper that the decision to sign a strategic agreement on creation of an alliance between UTair and Transaero was dictated by, among other things, the desire to resist the arrival of Aeroflot’s budget carrier at Vnukovo (the carrier planned to move 10 flights to the airport). However, Aeroflot can now take the place of Transaero at Domodedovo.
