Gazpromneft-Aero has concluded a long-term agreement for two years with airBaltic, the Latvian national airline, for refueling new scheduled flights from Riga to Moscow (Vnukovo International Airport).
Russia travel
Vietjet connects Vietnam and Russia economy class
In airline news, Vietjet, Vietnam’s budget private airline, has announced the launch of flights in between Vladivostok and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue, and Phu Quoc. The announcement came while Vietnam’s Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong was on a visit to Russia.
CHRISTIE’S offers rare vintage Russian Intourist art
News from CHRISTIE’S , the world’s most famous fine arts auction house, tells of travel nostalgia from Russia in the time of Stalin. The auction house’s Vintage Poster sales, I’m told, always glean special interest in the travel genre. So the vintage Russian Intourist posters commissioned back in the 1930’s bear special note today.
Russia Tour Association wins coveted WTM award
News from WTM London, the Association of Tour Operators Russia (ATOR) has the World Travel Market 2014 World Travel Leaders Award for its promotion of tourism in Russia.
Russian Railways denies any restrictions on employee travel
News sources this week suggest Russian Railways and some other Russian state run companies may have imposed bans on foreign travel. According to the news, companies in Russia hit by western sanctions allegedly dissuaded employees from visiting countries outside Russia.
Crimea entices vast investor potential
In September RIA Novosti announced a possible China investment in the Crimea via the head of the Chamber of Commerce of Simferopol, Alexander Basov.
Transaero Airlines bumps up Murmansk, Eilat connections
Operating from Moscow Domodedovo Airport, Flight UN175/176 will connect the two cities three times per week on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 22:45. Scheduled to arrive in Murmansk at 01:25 on the next day, the returns will be from Murmansk on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 08:00, with arrival in Moscow at 10:35.
Aeroflot & Carlson Rezidor Announce Bonus Flyer Program
Aeroflot and Russia’s largest international hotel operator have partnered for an international guest rewards program. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the leading international hotel operator in Russia, CIS and Baltics, and Aeroflot, Russias biggest airline, announced the Aeroflot Bonus frequent flyer program.
Airbnb and Russia’s Ostrovok Tie Travel Knot
Airbnb has just announced having ventured into the Russian tourist market via a partnership with online accommodation service Ostrovok. The deal is the first of it’s kind for the Silicon Valley poster child of travel startups.
EU Sanctions Can’t Keep Aeroflot’s Budget Airline Down
Apparently western sanctions can’t keep a Russian airline giant down. Aeroflot’s being forced to ground fledgling budget airline Dobrolyot over EU sanctions disrupting aircraft leases may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Russia’s biggest airline.
Aeroflot’s Low-Cost Carrier Dobrolet Starts Commercial Flights
Aeroflot (Moscow Exchange ticker: AFLT) announces that Dobrolet, its wholly owned low-cost carrier subsidiary, has completed its first commercial flight from Moscow to Simferopol.
Adventure Saturday: Exploring the Wilds of Russia
Russia is a vast and fascinating country, with landscapes ranging from sunny beaches to icy tundra, rugged mountains to dense forests and mysterious lakes. In addition to its natural attractions, the country boasts cultural and historic sites that are unique in the world. To see the real Russia, you need to get beyond the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry Issues Travel Warning
A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry has cautioned Russians intent on traveling abroad about possible detentions. While Alexander Lukashevich issued a statement earlier in the week about how to avoid problems with US law enforcement agencies when traveling.
Putin Moves to Assist Crimea Travel
According to reports from Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into effect travel promotional legislation including dropping the VAT tax on air travel starting June 1, 2014. Currently the VAT for air travel in Russia is 18%, according to the Voice of Russia.
Russia Tourism Report Q1 2014
In news from marketbuyer.com, BMI’s Russia tourism report examines indicators, including expected growth in inbound and outbound travel.
Cyprus Worries Over Russian Tourism
The economies of the EU versus Russia Crimea situation extend farther afield than some visa denials and wanton sanctions against the Russian Federation. With regional tourism massively affected by Russian tourists rubles, how can the EU further a NATO agenda and not hurt places like Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus?
Aeroflot Upgrading to Boeing 777-300ER
Russian airline Aeroflot has taken delivery of a new Boeing 777-300ER named in honour of the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov.
Attending Sochi Winter Olympics? How Dangerous Are We Talking?
Only 11 days left till the XXII Olympic Winter Games begin in Sochi, Russia, and travelers must be concerned over security. But just how concerned should they be?
Five Luxury Suites for Your “Bucket List”
When we think of traveling first class, what’s the one image we all have in common where hotels are concerned? Is yours the hotel restaurant, it’s not always ours. How about a vast infinity edge swimming pool? Do you dream when you dream of a hotel stay of five star concierge, a valet, a spa to beat all spas, beach-side waiters, killer room service? Now room service, we got warm then, didn’t we? A luxurious suite, this is a hotel image we can all agree on.
Russia’s Putin Puts Forth Rapid Rail Agenda
Yesterday, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin held a meeting to discuss developing high-speed railways within Russia. Taking special note of the serious investments in resource and systems required for ambitious projects of the sort, Putin also emphasized the necessity of affordability for travelers.