newstodate.aero
Dec 22, 2008 (newstodate): Fuel costs are taking a heavy toll on airlines - and expecially so in Russia.
Most Russian airlines still depend on operating Soviet-built aircraft with a high fuel consumption, and fuel costs now constitute 70 percent of the average ticket price in Russia.
Even if fuel prices, as predicted, will decrease by 20 percent, this will only ease the fuel tag by some 10-15 percent for Russian airlines.
The fuel cost burden is expected to bring more Russian airlines down in 2009, as has already been the case in 2008, and the financial crisis is not expected to make it easier for unprofitable, under-financed airlines to remain in business.
Most Russian airlines still depend on operating Soviet-built aircraft with a high fuel consumption, and fuel costs now constitute 70 percent of the average ticket price in Russia.
Even if fuel prices, as predicted, will decrease by 20 percent, this will only ease the fuel tag by some 10-15 percent for Russian airlines.
The fuel cost burden is expected to bring more Russian airlines down in 2009, as has already been the case in 2008, and the financial crisis is not expected to make it easier for unprofitable, under-financed airlines to remain in business.