News

Sky Express and Sabre sign global distribution agreement
Sky Express, the first Russian low-cost airline and Sabre Travel Network, the world’s leading provider of high performance solutions for the travel industry, have signed a long-term distribution agreement, providing agencies and corporations around the world with continued access to the airline’s full content and inventory via the Sabre global distribution system (GDS).  From this month, Sabre agencies all over the world can access the carrier’s fares and inventory including special offers and all fares sold through direct and indirect channels. This is the first low cost carrier in Russia to participate in the GDS. In the past three years, Sky Express has invested significantly in new technology to help position the low cost carrier for growth in Russia. Its pioneering role in implementing advanced e-ticketing combined with its low-cost carrier approach in Russia has resulted in strong market share increases across the country.

Sky Express Passenger Traffic up 25% in January-May 2010
Sky Express handled 403 500 people in January-May 2010 which is 25% as much as in the same period of 2009. In May 2010, the airline handled 78 000 people, including domestic service – 61 213 people, international service – 16 807 people. Passenger turnover totaled 547.700 million p-km in the five-month period of 2010, including May 2010 – 115.530 million p-km. The share of international charter service is 20.8% in May 2010. In the five-month period of 2010, the airline handled over 50 000 people on 26 routes in 18 countries. The share of charter service totaled 12.5%. In the five-month period of 2010, passenger load factor totaled 75.9% (+13.8%), cargo load factor – 76.5%. In May 2010, the airline handled 171.3 tons of cargo and mail (+47%). Cargo load factor totaled 77.9%. In the five-month period of 2010, cargo and mail traffic totaled 741 900 tons (+52%), cargo load factor – 77.3%.

Sky Express Extends IOSA Certificate
In September 2009, Sky Express held another audit under IOSA standards and received a relevant certificate. The document confirms successful audit of operational safety under IATA. Sky Express extended its membership in the register of IOSA operators. The audit was held by WAKE (QA) Ltd. On December 7, 2009 Sky Express became the eighth Russian air carrier which was included in the IOSA register. The airline confirmed its compliance with the international standards one year later. In order to pass the audit, the operational activity and documents were brought in line with more than 900 standards established by IATA.

Sky Express Passenger Traffic up 31%
Sky Express handled 325 365 people in January-April 2010 which is 31% as much as in the same period of 2009. The airline handled over 564 tons of cargo and mail in the reported period which is 54% as much as in the same period of 2009. Passenger load factor totaled 76% in the reported period (+14%), cargo load factor – 77.5% (+10.3%). The airline handled 84 800 people in April 2010 (+38%). The airline handled 139 tons of cargo and mail in April 2010 which is 36% as much as in the same period of 2009. Passenger load factor totaled 78% (+15%).

Sky Express signed maintenance contract with Turkish Technic
Sky Express signed maintenance contract with Turkish Technic for the VP-BFK Aircraft C6 Check in Istanbul. Turkish Technic, had signed a C6 Check maintenance services agreement for one base maintenance C6 check on BOEING B737-500 with Sky Express. Maintenance works will be carried at Turkish Technic’s facilities in Istanbul, Turkey, during May 2010.

I pay cash – it’s the dash!
Sky Express now gives to its passengers the opportunity to pay cash 12 hours before schedule flight. Sky Express reduced the term of cash payment from 48 hours to 12 hours before flight. Passengers are to pay cash during 1 hour after booking ticket on the company web-site. Passengers can pay for Sky Express flights at more than 100 thousands partners’ points of payment. Where and how to pay you can know here.

Sky Express Passenger Traffic up 40% in March 2010
Sky Express handled 81 700 people in March 2010, which is 40% as much as in the same period of 2009. Passenger load factor totaled 79.2% in March 2010, which is 24% as much as in the same period of 2009. In March 2010, the airlines handled 146.8 tons of cargo and mail (+90%). In the first quarter of 2010, the airline handled 240 534 people (+28.8%). Passenger load factor totaled 75% (+14%). Cargo load factor totaled 77% (+10.4%). Sky Express handled over 423 tons of cargo and mail (+60%). In the first quarter of 2010, the airline’s share in charter service in 21 destinations is 11% of total passenger traffic, which is 15% as much as in the same period of 2009.

Sky Express to open charters from regional cities
Russian low-cost carrier Sky Express is planning to increase passenger numbers by launching international charter flights from regional centres. The airline wants to achieve at least a 25% share of non-scheduled traffic this year, up from 20% in 2009 and 15% two years ago. The Moscow-based airline will initially introduce charter services from Krasnodar, Kazan and Rostov to a host of cities abroad. To feed charter traffic from Moscow, Sky Express also intends to sell blocks of seats on scheduled domestic services to travel agents. The company will take operating leases on two more Boeing 737-300s, with deliveries due in May and June. Last year Sky Express increased sales revenue by 27% to rb35 billion ($1.16 billion) on the back of a 7% growth in passenger numbers to 1.1 million.

VTB Strakhovaniye Insures Sky Express Air Fleet
VTB Strakhovaniye and Sky Express Aviation Company signed an agreement on aircraft insurance and responsibility insurance of the aviation carrier. The insurance covers all the aviation fleet of Sky Express consisting of 9 Boeings 737. The insurance sum under aviakasko totals over USD$75 mln. In addition, the company’s social responsibility has also been insured; the responsibility limit while conducting aircraft operations is USD550 mln for each airplane. The agreement was signed with the help of the insurance broker Marsh. The aviation company has entered a new stage of development, and its business expansion and the company’s successful development largely depend on its partners’ support. VTB Strakhovaniye is a key partner for Sky Express and the airline hopes for a long-term and fruitful cooperation. (USD1 = RUB30.5007)

Sky Express and Travelport Sign Agreement
Sky Express, a Russian low-cost air carrier, and Travelport, one oft he largest global distribution systems (GDS), signed an agreement. In February 2010 the product of Sky Express will be available for the users of the global distribution systems (GDS) such as Galileo and Worldspan in different countries. Sky Express provides the air service on the popular routes. The airline is based at Vnukovo International Airport and operates Boeings 737.