Summer tourism in 2026 could be impacted due to changes in international flight routes involving Sochi and Krasnodar.
In a notable development for the tourism industry in Russia, Alexan Mkrtchyan, vice-president of the Alliance of Tourist Agencies of Russia, has expressed the belief that the airport in Krasnodar could potentially take over some international flights currently operated by Sochi and Mineralnye Vody airports.
The airport in Krasnodar, which resumed operations on September 17, is located closer for international travel compared to its counterparts in Sochi and Mineralnye Vody. This strategic positioning is set to make Krasnodar a more appealing destination for air companies transferring part of their international flights.
According to recent data, the majority of passengers on flights from Sochi to popular destinations like Thailand and Turkey are residents of Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, making up nearly 90% of the passengers. Surprisingly, only 10% of these passengers are from Sochi itself.
Aeroflot is leading the charge in this transition, with plans to start handling flights from Krasnodar to several major Russian cities beginning in September 2023. The airline aims to restore international flights by the end of the month, with potential destinations including Dubai, Istanbul, Yerevan, and Tbilisi. S7 and Smartavia are also preparing to resume flights once official airport regulations are confirmed, with an expected increase in passenger traffic and expanded routes.
The active flight programs to Turkey, expected in the Krasnodar region during the summer of 2026, could potentially impact tourist flow in the region. With the airport already accepting international flights and the transfer of flights from Sochi and Mineralnye Vody set to begin in September 2023, the Krasnodar airport is poised to play a significant role in the tourism industry in the coming years.
However, it's important to note that Sochi Airport may still remain appealing to tourists traveling within Russia, as previously stated by Alexan Mkrtchyan. The shift in international flights to Krasnodar could open up new opportunities for both airports and the regions they serve, creating a more diverse and competitive landscape in the Russian tourism industry.
In conclusion, the transfer of international flights from Sochi and Mineralnye Vody to Krasnodar is a significant development that could shape the future of tourism in the region. As more details emerge, it will be interesting to see how this transition unfolds and what impact it will have on the tourism industry in Russia.
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