Aviaexpresscruise opens scheduled services to Bulgaria(319 words)

Published: 2/15/2001

Moscow-based carrier, Aviaexpresscruise, has confirmed its agreement with East Line (Domodedovo Airport's owners), regarding the commencement of scheduled services between the airport and the Bulgarian destinations of Varna and Burgas. The new flights will add to those already offered by the airline from Vnukovo Airport between the two countries. This makes them one of only two official Russian carriers (the other being Aeroflot) on the route since May 2000. The company has expanded its fleet, during 2000, by adding an additional 2 Tu-154s (leased) and 2 Yak-40s and bringing its fleet up to 5 Tu-154, 3 Tu-134 and 6 Yak-40. The company plans to modernize two of the Yak-40s to Yak-42 standard, to meet the ECAS requirement for the installation of TACIS equipment for flying in Europe from 1 April 2001. The installation is part of a staged programme to equip the fleet. The airline seems to be of the view that it will not immediately be excluded from ECAS airspace if it fails to comply with TACIS regulations by April. It believes there will be time to fit systems and will naturally have sufficient aircraft to cope with the changes. Eurocontrol however, has stated that all airlines will be expected to conform to regulations, by fitting the $150,000 systems by the due date. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Between April and September 2000 the company performed 268 regular flights and carried 29,405 passengers. Aviaexpresscruise flies regular services to a number of destinations in Russia and the CIS - (Georgia (Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi), Armenia (Yerevan, Gyumri), Azerbaijan (Baku, Ganca), Ukraine (Kiev, Donetsk, Dnepropetrovsk) and Kazakhstan (Aktau). It also flies within Russia to - Barnaul, Chita, Bratsk, Perm, Stavropol, Elista, Orsk, Orenburg, Vladivostok, Vadikavkaz and Anapa Mineral Waters). The company has a charter programme which flies to Croatia (Pula, Split, Dubrovnik) and Yugoslavia.

Article ID: 2360