Crimea Simferopol Airport joins Russia domestic network

Friendly people at the airport

– What happened at the airport of Simferopol in late February of last year?

– Start “Crimean Spring” naturally led to a change in the airport. Replaced its management, reduced the number of flights Ukraine closed airspace, prohibiting airlines to operate and saying that the airport does not work. But we did not stop to function, ensuring maintenance of aircraft on arrival-departure.

– As in this situation was able to support the work in normal mode? How interaction with the republican forces of self-defense?

– We have agreed with the defense that they will not interfere with production activities.

We fulfill their specialized tasks, did not dwell on the political changes taking place in the country. They defended the airport from unauthorized intervention, guarding the perimeter and providing the order on the forecourt.

– In what was then the state of the airport?

– It was a lively business enterprise, the main problems which have insufficient capacity and a significant depreciation of fixed assets. Airport exploited one runway (WFP), which was commissioned in 1982. Its overhaul never held – only minor work on grouting cracks. There was a shortage of specialized equipment.

– At the same time the airport was profitable and passenger traffic growth (+ 8% in 2013 compared with 2012).

– Airports, as a rule, it is quite profitable business. In Simferopol, it was cost-effective, the question of the use of this profit – where she was going and whether it is not only for the current provision of the airport, but also for the significant modernization.

There was no money at all

– How smooth was the transition to the Russian jurisdiction?

In March, the airport operated with only 3 flights a day, which is insufficient to support daily operations – to support the work of the airport takes about 10 flights per day.

But since April, the increase has gone, and since May-June the volume of traffic has soared. On average, for the year pawned forecast passenger capacity by about 10%.

But at the end of 2014 we have served more than 2.8 million passengers, 2.3 times more than in 2013. The phenomenal growth, despite the fact that the airport was designed for a maximum of 1 million passengers a year.

Naturally, the main objective was to expand airport capacity (by June it was increased from 5 to 15 takeoff and landing operations per hour due to the overhaul of the steering track). Besides the airport started operating widebody aircraft like Boeing-747, Boeing-777 and Airbus-330.We have increased the amount of funds specialized equipment, apron mechanization, recruitment of additional personnel.

At the same time there were some financial problems, as the airport we took, with virtually zero to the current account – there was no money at all.

– By what means then managed to pull it off?

– We have appealed to the banking structure for loans. But, unfortunately, at that time it was eliminated, so, in fact, there was nowhere to handle. So we asked for help from the airlines who have been flying at the airport of Simferopol – a S7, «Transaero”, “Aeroflot”. They are against future services made prepayments totaling about 40 million rubles., Which allowed the airport to prepare for the summer period.

– But in the last year for repairs require significantly more money.

– Of Course. Those were the minimum funds required to start work in a large airport passenger traffic. We have developed a modernization program until 2018, which is divided into three stages. On the ground, in the spring and summer – we have commissioned taxiway, built navesonakopiteli attracted special equipment.

Since the autumn of 2014 to summer 2015, we will implement the second phase. His goal – to expand the terminal complex of more than a factor of 2, which will greatly increase the capacity of the airport, and at the same time the quality of service of passenger services, which, unfortunately, last summer was not always up to standard, when, for example, had to issue luggage hands. But even with such nuances

We tried to make their work as quickly as possible to be comfortable. Sheds were everywhere, flowers and herbs. The man immediately gets to the Crimea.

Now we are building at the same time 6 objects, in particular completely reconstruct terminal A under international and domestic flights. Also repair airfield pavements – because of wide-body aircraft wear was even faster. While the airport does not work at night: from 22.00 to 08.00 are changing plates are sealed seams, chips, remove cracks. From March 30 to move back to the non-stop operation.

– As a result, at whose expense the second phase of modernization?

– It is accumulated on the results of the summer-autumn period means the airport. In total, about 1 billion rubles.

– In this case, I wanted to clarify. In Russia it is accepted that the planar structures are reconstructed by the state. Why in your case this does not happen?

– Because the airport “Simferopol” special. In 2004 it was transferred from state ownership to the assets of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. In 2008, Republican Enterprise “International airport” Simferopol “completed the procedure of incorporation. Accordingly, the airfield came to the statutory fund of the company, becoming its property.

In Russian airports are mainly on the balance of FSUE “Administration of civil airports.” That is, in fact, are the property of the state, which finances them.

– But in the federal targeted program for the development of (FTP) Crimea on the airport complex provides almost 13 billion rubles.

– Yes, this year will allocate money for the design and reconstruction of the actual spread over 2016-2018 years. But until 2018, still need to survive.While we were sent to repair the strip of 170 million rubles.

They will ensure its operation during this period, but not eliminate the need of the reconstruction. Band in 2002 has exhausted its regulatory resources.

Private money does not go to the Crimea

– In the case of reconstruction of the runway again give up night service flights?

– This is one of the possible schemes. Another option renovation – restoration of the old band, which since the 1980s is not in use. It provides for the transition to work in a period of low navigation less bandwidth, parallel recovery baseband and operation of airports in the future at the same time the two bands.

We also discuss the options for reducing the use of the existing runway length is 3701 m. By limiting the types of aircraft can turn reduce the length of its operation, for example, in kilometers.

– I understand that the third stage of modernization is just the same as connecting the FTP. How much of this period, the airport plans to use its own funds?

– Yes, this stage involves the reconstruction of the airfield and the construction of a new terminal complex. While there are pre-work. The sum will become clear no earlier than 2016.

– We discussed the airport’s own funds and budget. Do you plan to attract private investment?

– The federal program provides for the construction of a new terminal complex on the basis of public-private partnerships. Therefore, we do not exclude such a development.

– Negotiations with specific companies are already underway?

– Holding Companies that operate private airports, are interested in developing the airport “Simferopol”. He is a good speaker in passenger traffic, last summer, the average load of aircraft was 90-100%. There are FTP on the Crimea.

But specifics attached to the paper, in the form of some investment contracts, to date there.

At the airport, operating a “mafia” of taxi drivers

– How many earned Airport last year?

– At the end of 2014 – about 2 billion rubles.

– What is the current structure of the aviation and non-aviation revenues?

– We have calculated that the profitability of their own to carry out all kinds of airport services than to give them to others in exchange for a concession payments. For example, on the ground handling of passengers we have earned 500 million rubles. We returned to service aircraft certificated flight navigational software, restored services to ensure flight catering.

As a result, we have 85% – it’s aeronautical revenues.

– Who was in the 15%?

– Taxi drivers point of catering, offices, airline offices.

– Speaking of taxis. How do you plan to improve the situation with the service? Taxi drivers, who are based at the airport gate, inflate rates several times.

– In Simferopol taxi drivers are not the best reputation. The situation is complicated with them … Prior to joining the Crimea taxi drivers mostly worked at the railway station. But now that the backbone moved, trying to make money on airline passengers who unknowingly local tariffs can pay through the nose. Here she still wielded “mafia” – the summer between taxi drivers there were disputes in the fight for customers. In addition, there are many works Ukrainian refugees – I see by the numbers of vehicles. We struggle with dishonest taxi drivers, kicked out of the arrivals hall, but they are also tricky, say for example, “I’m waiting for my aunt from the flight.”

In general, a taxi ride from the airport in the world is more expensive than in the city. So one of the options to address this issue for arriving in Simferopol will search in advance of local taxi services that carry at affordable rates. This year, I hope to solve this problem – enterprising taxi drivers still do not know what “surprises” are prepared. In particular, the airport area will be fenced to enter.

Without Duty Free

– Previously worked at the airport duty-free shops. Plan to get them back?

– Duty Free shops can only work outside the crossing point of international flights. The airport of Simferopol international flights there, and accordingly, no Duty Free shops. No operator will work in Duty Free shop in the absence of customers. Their departure has hit the non-aeronautical revenues.

– In 2013, the foreign share in the journey is 72%. In the name of the airport is still present the word “international”. You talked about the reconstruction of the terminal, including a service international flights. Nevertheless, in the autumn of international flights at the airport at all canceled.

– However, we must remember that 80% of these 72% were in the direction of Russia, which have become internal. Another 12% were in favor of Turkey (in the summer schedule was 4 daily flights to Istanbul). Of international high season were also Tashkent, Yerevan, Riga, Tel Aviv, Frankfurt. In 2014 there was a complete reorientation of the flow – we actually worked on its domestic flights. Naturally, this affects the profitability of the airport as well as maintenance of international flights has always been expensive.

– As Far As?

– This is not quite correct assessment, since it is necessary to compare the Ukrainian international rates, which were installed in the currency and convert them into rubles abstract. In general, for airport services such as airline “Aeroflot” and “Transaero”, that is, those who previously flew to Simferopol, pay twice less than in 2013. That is, if the standard flight service while downloading 140 passengers cost the airline about 200 thousand. Rub., Now – 100 thousand. Rub.

– In the summer still were flying from Turkey, Vietnam, Cambodia. Are the negotiations with foreign carriers to resume flights?

– Airport “Simferopol” is ready to service international flights. Since March, “Grozny Avia” plans to resume flights to Istanbul.

But still the question of the beginning of international flights is beyond our control. Everyone knows that the sanctions imposed by the EU and the US affect the operation of foreign aviation technology in the direction of the Crimea. Although the rapid growth of the internal transport market with a vengeance cover possible losses from the lack of international flights.

“Victory” in Crimea is not flies

– Flights to Simferopol are heavily subsidized by the state, because of what the prices are quite reasonable. The impact on passenger traffic cancellation of granting tariff preferences?

– Of course the airport is interested in the preservation and development of a subsidy program for the Crimean direction. Thanks to her, many people do the first time in his life or after a very long break to fly planes.

– I understand that you have in any case have a head start in a few years until they build a bridge Kerch. After the completion of the bridge you will be as much in demand, or passenger, which at that time reached a conditional ceiling to fall?

– I would not have predicted a decline in air travel, rather -. slowdown of growth in passenger traffic. Naturally, someone peresyadet back to the car, rail, bus. But each mode of transport its passengers. And a lot depends on the distance of the destination.

For example, now a lot of applications to open flights to Simferopol from Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Naryan-Mar, Magadan. I doubt that people are willing to travel from these cities to the Crimea by car – this should be quite romantic. So you can all leave rolled, and come back.

– What is your system to attract carriers?

– We are in the middle price range compared to the airports of the southern region. In 2014, we adjusted the rate of charge three times in the direction of decreasing. In 2015, the cost of conservation will be our rates and services. That is, we are ready to share a part of their profitability to airlines already opened the sale of tickets for the summer.

– “Aeroflot” you did not report on the possibility of flight “Victory” in Simferopol? Or they have poberegut loukoster that it does not meet the fate of “Dobrolet”?

– The corresponding request was not. In Crimea, the national carrier is presented as the main company “Aeroflot”, as well as subsidiaries and Orenair “Donavia”. For its part, we are ready to confirm the slots for all airlines, including a “Victory”.

Business people also like to relax

– How to affect the airport mode “open sky” in Sochi? This will facilitate access to the Crimea?

– Mode “open skies” more concerned with international flights. And in domestic traffic, and so we are working in this mode. Our slot-coordination only limited bandwidth.

Last year, at the peak of the airport serves 25 thousand per day. Man on arrival-departure. After the reconstruction, we just cope with 30-35 thousand. People a day. Yes, I think we can handle any number.Just to be willing and sufficient capacity of transportation capacity from airlines, that is to have enough aircraft to carry all passengers.

– Last year was a discussion about the creation of the Crimean base carrier, and such were even willing, for example, “Grozny Avia”. As far as the airport of Simferopol interested in his appearance?

– Any Airport is interested in developing a strong base carrier. Because the economy is always above him – it is always the provision of additional services (maintenance, refueling, providing space for rent). At the same time, its occurrence leads to expansion of the route network and, hence, an increase in passenger traffic.

– Is it advisable to have a carrier base in the Crimea, in view of the fact that the resort remains Simferopol airport?

– “Simferopol” has historically been the airport «point to point». In Russia there are so many hubs – is, first of all Moscow airports. Crimea is located near Istanbul – hub with a large number of passengers and the national carrier Turkish Airways. Without a strong partner of the hub will not work. We are ready to act in this direction, but I think this process will occur later.

– What do you know about the plans to Sevastopol “Belbek”? Will he military, whether dual use?

– When Ukraine “Belbek” functioned as a military-civilian airfield. Basically there flying business aviation. At its launch as a full-fledged civil ports require very substantial costs, including summarizing communications, construction of terminals, reconstruction of the runway.

– What now Simferopol share of business aviation?

– Revenue is around 5%. Of course, we are actively working in this direction, although it is quite seasonal – business people also like to relax.

– What is your forecast for this year?

– The summer schedule we finally will form by April, but now we can talk about increasing the number of flights by 20%.

Thousands of mourners gathered today at the Sakharov Center in Moscow for honor slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, the former Vice President of the Russian Government during the time of Boris Yeltsin.