Russian airlines’ traffic reaches 88 per cent of pre-crisis levels in July

(Pulkovo)

In July this year Russian airlines’ combined traffic reached 12.5 million passengers, just 12 per cent down on the same month of the pre-COVID 2019, according to the recent report by the country’s aviation authority Rosaviatsiya. The Russian air travel market clearly continues on track of a steady recovery, reaching 88 per cent of the pre-crisis levels past month, up from 86.6 per cent in June, 81.3 per cent in May and 77 per cent in April.

The total RPKs reached 23.1 billion, still 33.74 per cent below the ‘normal’ levels, due to severe international travel restrictions.

For the first time since the onset of the crisis, Russia’s largest airlines of the TOP-5 elite have all passed the psychologically sensitive milestone of 1 million monthly passengers. These airlines are accountable for nearly 65 per cent of the total traffic.

In July, Russia’s flag carrier Aeroflot served 2.5 million passengers – for the first time, less than 50 per cent below its ‘norm’. It is gradually stretching the lead from its closest competitor, privately-owned S7 Airlines, which carried 1.7 million passengers past month. Boasting an unbelievable 50 per cent growth compared to July 2019 results, Aeroflot’s low-cost division Pobeda served 1.5 million passengers. Its sister airline Rossiya Airlines carried 1.2 million passengers. The last of the TOP-5 ranking, Ural Airlines started a slow climb with 1.1 million passengers in July.

RUSSIAN AIRLINES COMBINED TRAFFIC JULY 2021, passengers
(compared to July 2019)

1. (1) Aeroflot                2.5 mln              –32.2%
2. (2) S7 Airlines           1.7 mln              –12.4%
3. (5) Pobeda                 1.5 mln              +50.0%
4. (3) Rossiya                 1.2 mln              –21.0%
5. (4) Ural Airlines        1.1 mln              +2.7%

In total, since the beginning of the year to end of July, Russian airlines collectively served 56.6 million passengers, down 21.3 per cent on the same period of 2019. The total RPKs for seven months was 119.8 billion, down 34 per cent on the pre-crisis year.

RUSSIAN AIRLINES COMBINED TRAFFIC JANUARY – JULY 2021, passengers
(compared to January – July 2019)

1. (1) Aeroflot                10.86 mln         –49.5%
2. (2) S7 Airlines           9.76 mln           –3.4%
3. (5) Pobeda                 7.90 mln           +41.3%
4. (3) Rossiya                 5.02 mln           –24.0%
5. (4) Ural Airlines        4.86 mln           –8.4%