MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. The Russian Ministry of Transport hopes to keep the prices of air tickets in 2019 at the current level, Minister of Transport Evgeny Dietrich told reporters on Saturday.
"We really hope that we will be able to keep the prices, although it will be very difficult given the fact that the price of fuel is not falling, and so far airlines have not received compensation for the growth of jet fuel prices. You know that a number of airlines has difficulties with debt, so it’s important for us to maintain control over it," he said.
According to the Association of Air Transport Operators (AEFT), for the first 9 months of 2018, the total airline costs for fuel increased by 43% or 87 bln rubles ($1.31 bln) to 288 bln rubles ($4.34 bln). Fuel consumption rose by 9% up to 7 mln tonnes.
Since the middle of last year, the Ministry of Transport has been working on measures to support airlines, but so far there was no decision on any proposal.
Dietrich added that the Ministry does not expect creation of new airlines in 2019. "No, we do not expect creation of new airlines this year," he said.
At the end of last year, Head of VTB Andrey Kostin said that together with Sberbank, they plan to hold consultations on the creation of a new regional airline based on a public-private partnership. He noted that both banks, which already have experience in leasing aircraft, could contribute to the creation of the airline, but added that before that it is necessary to make a clear financial calculation.
Later, it was reported earlier that Sberbank and VTB could create a regional carrier based on UTair. Head of Sberbank Herman Gref has officially denied this information.
Dietrich added that the Ministry, together with UTair and its largest creditors, is looking for options to support the carrier after more than half of the lenders have refused to postpone payment.
The Ministry, together with UTair and its largest creditors, is looking for options to support the carrier after more than half of the lenders have refused to postpone payment, Dietrich said.
"More than half of the lenders refused to postpone the payment of the debts of the airline (for high season - TASS). We are considering, together with UTair, possible options for providing support so that the company can continue its smooth operation. Now jointly with the CEO and with the largest creditors, we start discussions about resolving this situation," he said.
The airline has two syndicated loans from 11 banks for a total of 38.6 bln rubles ($581.85 mln). Repayment of the loan should begin in 2020, until then the carrier must pay interest.