Russia’s airlines continued to enjoy notable traffic growth in February

Combined, Russian carriers served 6.72 million passengers (Sochi airport)

Russia’s carriers collectively served 7.97 million passengers in February, 6.5 per cent more than the same month last year, while figures for the first two months of 2020 show that Russia’s airline passenger numbers improved by 6.6 per cent year-on-year, reaching 16.87 million.

Three of Russia’s top five carriers experienced a double-digit improvement in February, with S7 Airlines, the country’s largest privately run carrier, enjoying a 21 per cent traffic growth last month (1.27 million passengers). At the same time, Aeroflot Group member airline low-cost carrier (LCC) Pobeda grew by 32 per cent (821,880 passengers) and Ural Airlines enjoyed a 17 per cent (601,800 passengers) boost.

In contrast, both flag carrier Aeroflot and its sister airline Rossiya saw their passenger traffic numbers slide by four per cent (2.52 million passengers) and 13 per cent (508,900) respectively.

It is likely that February was the last month of any upward trends in the foreseeable future, as air travel is now entering the turbulence brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the devaluation of the rouble. Airlines are being forced to suspend their international services and, as a result, the upcoming summer holiday travel season remains in limbo.

Russia’s top-five, February 2020 (million pax, % y-on-y)

1. Aeroflot            2.52    (4%)
2. S7 Airlines      1.27    +21%
3. Pobeda            0.82    + 32%
4. Ural Airlines  0.60    +17%
5. Rossiya            0.51    (13%)