Vladimir Saibel, Vladivostok Air - Авиакомпания «Владивосток Авиа»
Release Date: 2009-02-20
Government of the Russian Federation is stressing the importance of developing the Far East as an integral part of the economic progress of the country as a whole. As the largest air carrier in Russia's Far East, how is Vladivostok Air benefiting from this trend?Development of the Far East boosts business activity and economic development of the region that will activate the passenger and cargo flow. The additional advantage that Vladivostok Air will hopefully get is expansion of transportation volume in the Far East and from Far East to the European part of Russia and Asia-Pacific Region.
We also have great expectations regarding President’s initiative to subsidize air transportations from the Far East that are expected to increase substantially the mobility of population in terms of air transport. We have received the draft of the corresponding Government Decree for our consideration. Generally we believe that the chosen direction is correct and useful for the local people.
Vladivostok Air used to own an airline and an airport, but in February, 2008 the company was reorganized and JSC Vladivostok International Airport became a separate entity. What is the logic behind this restructuration?
Yes, Vladivostok Air was reorganized through a separation of the airport business. JSC Vladivostok International Airport was officially registered on February 15, 2008. Vladivostok Air is involved in air transportations and aircraft technical maintenance only whereas the airport is operating according to its own Charter.
Vladivostok Air carries 700,000 passengers per year, covering both regional and national routes and international routes, mainly towards Asia. Considering that the economic development of the Russian Far East is inextricably linked to Asia and that there is a mass of a least 100 million people living around the Sino-Russian border, what are the prospects of developing traffic in this direction?
A slight correction: Vladivostok Air transported as much as 893,000 passengers over 2008. Concerning our relations with the Asian region, we continue to increase the passenger flow yearly and develop new contacts.
As of the Sino-Russian border, ground transport is the one that is most demanded here. Prospects of developing transportations to Asia-Pacific will depend on the local and global economic situation and on the attractiveness of the Far East and Russia in general in terms of tourism, investments, etc.
Vladivostok Air has recently launched new charter flights to Alaska, US, and to Frankfurt, Germany. Which other international destinations are you considering for cargo and passenger segments?
We have also launched flights to China, to the Korean Republic and to Japan from Khabarovsk in the second half of 2008. Due to the current negative trends in the global economy, we have decided on a temporary closure of flights to Frankfurt and Bangkok. These international flights have not yet proven our economic forecasts. Concerning the prospects for 2009, we have developed some projects that require a well-balanced economic justification taking into account economic development of a certain region.
Vladivostok Air started independent cargo transportations on all its routes in October, 2008. As a newcomer in this segment, what are your growth expectations?
We’ve always been independent in terms of cargo transportation and what we currently discuss is centralization of cargo reservoirs control.
Vladivostok Air was the first company in the world to use new long-haul aircrafts Tu-204-300, and also the first fleet in the Russian Far East to incorporate foreign-made planes such as Airbus A-320. How do Western and Russian aircraft designs complement each other in an integral fleet? How important is it to have an updated fleet to sustain customer confidence? Are you planning to expand routes, along with fleet renewal?
Tu-204-300 aircraft are currently operated on longer flight ranges and А-320, correspondingly, on shorter ranges. Operation of modern aircraft is a serious issue, where everything counts: quality of service, environmental and economic concerns. In the conditions of constantly growing fuel prices - and this tendency will, to my mind, continue after the global crisis is over, - economical planes will be an opportunity to work and survive in a tough economic environment. Jet fuel consumption is directly tied to problems of ecology, however to a less extent than in other kinds of transport. Nevertheless, these issues attract, quite fairly, more and more attention.
Concerning the route expansion, we do everything to increase flight volumes each year: amount of transported passengers has grown 15% and amount of cargo has grown 22% over 2008.
What would be your final message for the readers of RussianAvia.net about the future of cargo and passenger transport in the Russian Far East and for Vladivostok Air in particular?
I will answer briefly: Vladivostok Air is always at your service. That means that we will continue to improve passenger service and the company’s business.
| Company: | Vladivostok Air - Авиакомпания «Владивосток Авиа» |
| Position: | General Director |
| Country: | Russian Federation |