Completes Inaugural Flight From Moscow To Sochi

ANN has learned Russia's newest airline, discount-carrier Sky Express, successfully completed its inaugural flight, delivering 91 passengers to the Black Sea resort of Sochi from Moscow's Vnukovo airport on January 29.

A release on the company's website says the flight was preceded by ceremonies marking its start-up. Guests of honor included shareholders and partners of the company, who attended especially to congratulate Sky Express, attend the traditional cutting of the red ribbon and express best wishes for the company’s success.

During the ceremony, company representatives handed the airline's first passenger a gift certificate for four free-of-charge flights and other prizes from the Vnukovo Airport Authority.

Sky Express bills itself as a no-frills airline -- Russia's first and only discount carrier -- with plans to revolutionize Russia's airline industry. Operating only Boeing 737 aircraft, Sky Express fares start at $19 dollars with customers given the option to pay extra for additional services such as meals.

Sky Express appeared on Russia's internal commercial aviation scene last year, but other players only started taking it seriously after it announced a $10 million investment by the European Bank For Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) -- a 20 percent stake in the fledgling airline. Another key investor -- with unspecified holdings -- is Boris Abramovich, director general of Russia's third-largest carrier Krasnoyarsk Airlines.

EBRD told Italian paper Portalino it will increase its investment in Sky Express to $20 million.

The airline took delivery of its first Boeing 737-300 November 12, 2006. The jet is nicely appointed with leather passenger seats, and a decorations created by Russian designer Yulia Rozhkova.

Sky Express has ambitious plans to carry as many as 3.5 million passengers by the end of next year. It says it will nab seven percent of Russia's domestic market in the short term, with a long-term goal of 25 percent.

FMI: www.skyexpress.ru