First Russian Budget Airline Takes Flight

Sky Express, Russia's first budget airline, was launched yesterday (29 January).

The carrier reportedly aims to gain a share of the domestic market through leasing Boeing 737s. According to The Associated Press, the carrier hopes to attract travellers who currently choose to travel by rail, offering one-way tickets between Moscow and the Black Sea and other destinations from USD19.

Sky has said that initially it will operate two flights daily to the Black Sea resort Sochi but aims to expand its fleet to eight Boeing aircraft by the spring and offer service to destinations in the Ural mountains, Siberia and southern Russia.

Airline spokesman Vitaly Korenyugin said that Sky hopes to gain a 7% market share by the end of the year, and 25% within five years.

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