Russia intends to cancel fees for foreign airlines using the airspace over Siberia, so that flights from Europe to Asia become cheaper…
So that is why I see European countries fly around Moscow instead of flying a straighter line to where they need to go. Did not realize that until today…
Russia is the only country that charges airlines for its airspace, which mainly affects the cost of flights from Europe to Asia. Many experts say that this rate reminiscent of the Cold War days, when the Soviet airspace was closed and foreign airlines could be used only if specific payments were made to the state…
This is a common issue in Russia for many things, not just airspace. The vestiges of the Soviet Union die hard at times…
Then after looking more closely I realized that this is only really happening because of the WTO. Other words if the WTO was not involved it would not happen yet. The incentive is not strong enough otherwise…
I also spotted a tidbit of information that any flight landing at Moscow has a special fee incurred. Just a little money extra to pad the wallet it seems…
It is said by the whiners of doom, that Russia will lose 15% of total revenues that Airports have to have to survive on…
I have something to say about that: It looks to me like if Russia removes the fee and or fees, then the increase in airline traffic from Europe would jump tremendously in volume. For right now European traffic is intentionally routed around the usage of Moscow as a regular stopover…
Kyle
Windows to Russia!
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