Strong increases in passenger and cargo traffic, plus oil company and UN contracts add to projected hike in revenues (260 words)

Published: 10/11/2001

Tyumenaviatrans (TAT) has reported that in the period January-August 2001 passenger traffic increased to 671,324: a rise of 58.5% over the same period in 2000 The company also carried 65.3% more cargo, carrying 57,227 tonnes between January-August 2001. Despite the top line improvement, the company's seat load factor decreased 3.3% in the period, from 68.9% in January-August 2000, reflecting the enormous expansion in the number of destinations to 85 from the 64 covered in 2000. According to TAT, however, the fall in load factors was less than expected for such an aggressive expansion of the route network. The start of international flights from Surgut Airport from 7th July 2001 also resulted in increases in passenger numbers, on charter flights in particular, adding to the volume from Tyumen, as a result of agreement with a number of tour organisers. The airline only operates one scheduled international service to Kiev from the airport. The continued buoyancy of the oil sector also helped lift volumes from contracts with oil companies, as did the agreement with the Khanty Mansiisk regional administration that resulted in increased frequencies on intraregional routes, which TAT claims gave it 70% of the region's traffic. Increased helicopter work from the UN, in particular, lifted performance with TAT expecting $35m from international contracts over $21m in 2000. Its contract for helicopter support in 2001 for oil company Surgutneftegaz will also bring in $30m over $10m in 2000

Article ID: 2817