Air tickets in Russia may become more expensive after the introduction of a new fee

The possibility of introducing an additional fee on flight tickets is being discussed in Russia; the funds from it will be used to support the operation of new domestic aircraft. The initiative is being worked out by the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Rostec, Kommersant reports, citing sources.

The final amount of the fee has not yet been set. According to the publication, the option of a fee of up to 500 rubles per passenger on domestic routes and up to 1,000 rubles on international flights is being considered. Another source allows for higher amounts of up to 700 rubles and 2,000 rubles, respectively. At these rates, the fee may remain in effect until 2020, after which it will be abolished as the operation of new aircraft becomes cheaper.

The mechanism for collecting the payment has not yet been approved. According to one of the options under consideration, the fee will be administered by the Ministry of Transport. The funds received are expected to be transferred to leasing companies to compensate for the difference between the actual cost of domestic aircraft and the preferential price at which carriers receive them.

Part of the funding may be directed directly to airlines. This refers to compensating for the increased costs of operating new Russian aircraft at the initial stage of their use. In particular, carriers may be additionally reimbursed for fuel costs.

Information source “Tourdom.ru”: https://www.tourdom.ru/news/smi-aviabilety-v-rossii-mogut-podorozhat-posle-vvedeniya-novogo-sbora.html 

Use of photo "Travelbelka.ru": https://travelbelka.ru/luchshie-aviakompanii-rossii/