Old flight benefits were canceled in March, and new ones were promised to be given only from May 1st. How did this happen?
An article with the headline “26 thousand rubles for a one-way ticket: how to leave Kaliningrad at the beginning of May” appeared on the “New Kaliningrad” portal. The authors of the publication reminded that until 2017, flights to and from Kaliningrad were subsidized for all Russian citizens.
But then the program was terminated. Recently, only pensioners, youth up to 23 years old, disabled people, and large families were given benefits. Again, from any region of the country. A discounted ticket to Moscow cost 3,500 rubles one way, and the same back. To St. Petersburg – 3,800 rubles one way. However, in March, this program was also canceled, promising that a regional benefit program would start in May. That is, now only residents of the Kaliningrad region and out-of-town students studying in the region will have their flights subsidized.
At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Transport instructed airlines not to raise prices for flights to Kaliningrad until the subsidy system is revised.
The CEO of Avia.ru portal, Roman Gusarov, mentioned that the Ministry of Transport instructed not to raise prices and probably couldn’t do more. However, now the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) may pay attention to the carriers’ pricing policy. Will there be any violations found? In general, the authorities’ policy regarding subsidizing flights to and from Kaliningrad was logical, according to Roman Gusarov:
Roman Gusarov CEO of Avia.ru portal
However, when it comes to air ticket prices for the May holidays, many Muscovites may feel trapped at home. A direct flight to Tbilisi at the end of April (according to a well-known aggregator) will cost a minimum of 25,000 rubles one way. Without luggage. To Yerevan – from 14,000 rubles. To Istanbul – 20,000 rubles. Against this background, it can be said: “but” Sochi – from 11,000 rubles.