Transaero plans to start a new service from Moscow to Prague next year if it is successful in securing the traffic rights in October, its deputy head of external relations Alexander Delezha states.

Speaking at the sidelines of the World Routes conference in Chicago today, Delezha says the Russian carrier will participate in a tender in October to secure second designation traffic rights after Aeroflot to operate to the Cezch capital.

If Transaero is successful in its application “we are ready to launch right from the start of the summer season” he states.

The tender is the result of Russia and the Czech Republic reaching a wide-ranging agreement to liberalise their bilateral air services earlier this month.

At present, Skyteam partners Aeroflot and Czech Airlines provide 28 weekly frequencies between the two capitals on a parity basis.

Delezha says there are “very few markets” in Europe that are still restricted to single designation rights, such as Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Denmark, but adds that the Russian government is now working to liberalise these markets.

Source: Cirium Dashboard