Moscow Vnukovo suspends Kuban flights

Moscow Vnukovo (VKO) announced it will suspend serving Kuban Airlines (GW) flights as of Dec. 26 because the of carrier’s debt to the airport.

According to a VKO statement, the Krasnodar-based regional carrier owes the airport nearly RUB400 million ($12.6 million), an amount GW denies, saying it is over twice the amount of the real debt. The carrier also said in a statement the debt had been rescheduled, which it will pay from April 2012. Airline representatives published proving documents on social networks.

Later, VKO chairman Vitaly Vantsev admitted the RUB307 million debt was rescheduled.

GW also said the amount includes debt from LCC Sky Express, which merged with GW in October (ATW Daily News, Nov. 3).

During the first 11 months of 2011, GW carried 847,000 passengers, the number of travelers increased nearly 40% compared to the same period in 2010. But VKO representatives said the carrier has decreased the number of routes from the airport and is cutting down its fleet.