EasyJet lacks permit for Russia flights

British low-cost carrier EasyJet, which recently won rights to operate flights between London’s Gatwick and Moscow’s Domodedovo airports, has apparently not yet finalized agreements with rival airline Transaero and Russia’s Federal Aviation Service (Rosaviatsia). EasyJet has been selling tickets for its daily flights starting on March 18 (twice daily from April 15) at a minimum price of $53.99.

According to a source from RBC, the tickets’ low cost has become a stumbling block in the negotiations. Unlike Transaero, EasyJet is able to keep prices down by buying slots at British airports (this isn’t practiced in Russia) and selling nonrefundable, no-frills tickets with food and baggage costing extra (forbidden under current Russian legislation).

“Allegations that [our] company didn’t receive permits for operating the Moscow-London route are unfounded,” EasyJet said in a statement. At the same time, the carrier noted: “We have made considerable progress in obtaining all the necessary permits from Rosaviatsia and concluding a commercial agreement with Transaero.”

First published in Russian in RBC Daily.

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