newstodate.aero
Feb 20, 2014 (newstodate): Ryanair has long cast its eyes on the Russian market - and may now be closer than before to launch of services to its first destination in the country.
According to industry sources, Ryanair has sought and obtained slots at St Petersburg Airport from this summer schedule while it remains unknown if the carrier will actually exercise these rights.
The airline would be allowed to operate between Dublin and St Petersburg on three days per week starting from April 1, 2014.
In November 2012, Ryanair was actually designated by Ireland as the carrier to serve a new route between Dublin and St Petersburg, based on the air services agreement from 1993 between the two states, and the carrier has also been designated as the second Irish carrier to operate into Moscow.
But nothing has happened despite repeated efforts to make a break-through in negotiations.
The problems is that Russia allows designated carriers to operate only on routes between "their" home country and Russia.
As Ryanair would certainly like to fly into Russia from its other operational bases as well, reflecting the fact that it is a EU-registered carrier, Russia has still not lifted the red tapes on the application.
Already in 2007, Ryanair cast its eyes on Russia and Ukraine as future prospective markets, provided the availability of cheap handling charges at airports in the countries.
According to industry sources, Ryanair has sought and obtained slots at St Petersburg Airport from this summer schedule while it remains unknown if the carrier will actually exercise these rights.
The airline would be allowed to operate between Dublin and St Petersburg on three days per week starting from April 1, 2014.
In November 2012, Ryanair was actually designated by Ireland as the carrier to serve a new route between Dublin and St Petersburg, based on the air services agreement from 1993 between the two states, and the carrier has also been designated as the second Irish carrier to operate into Moscow.
But nothing has happened despite repeated efforts to make a break-through in negotiations.
The problems is that Russia allows designated carriers to operate only on routes between "their" home country and Russia.
As Ryanair would certainly like to fly into Russia from its other operational bases as well, reflecting the fact that it is a EU-registered carrier, Russia has still not lifted the red tapes on the application.
Already in 2007, Ryanair cast its eyes on Russia and Ukraine as future prospective markets, provided the availability of cheap handling charges at airports in the countries.