Still cautious about confirming plans(170 words)

Published: 1/12/2001

British Airways' commercial director for Russia, the Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania, Daniel Burkard has announced that BA is considering two new Russian routes during Summer 2002 - London to Ekaterinburg, followed by London to Rostov-on-Don. These comments were subsequently deemed to be unofficial by BA's press spokesman, Yaroslav Smirnov from Moscow agency APCO. He said that, while the company was considering the possibility of new routes, for which authorisations had been obtained (under the bilateral agreement, allowing BA access to two additional cities), BA was still evaluating the viability of starting the flights. Smirnov did add that although the airports in Ekaterinburg and Rostov-on-Don satisfied the high safety levels required by BA, they both still required other forms of improvement. Smirnov's caution regarding the previous statement on the opening of these routes seems somewhat curious, given that, as long ago as February of last year, BA was reviewing the routes. The period of time elapsing between the initial announcements and the commencement of flights however, suggests that the viability of the routes is not, as yet, clear-cut.

Article ID: 2282