Electronic tickets catch on with Aeroflot passengers

Electronic and online ticketing was introduced later by Aeroflot—Russia’s national carrier—than by most western airlines. Yet it seems as though e-tickets and online bookings are quickly catching on and are increasing in popularity with Aeroflot passengers, according to the most recent statistics released by the Russian national airline. Aeroflot first introduced e-tickets in March 2007 and since then more than 250,000 passengers purchased their airfare this way. The majority of these tickets were still sold through travel agencies affiliated with the national carrier, while 35,000 (or 14%) were sold online, through Aeroflot’s main website (www.aeroflot.com ). Electronic ticketing has been introduced throughout Aeroflot’s extensive domestic and international network, and it was also harmonized with the booking systems of several major partners, such as British Airways, Austrian Airlines, KLM, Czech Airlines, and several other carriers. Electronic tickets are now also available for purchase, pick-up and use at 46 airports served by Aeroflot. Many smaller, domestic airports in

Russia, however, have yet to introduce the necessary technology.

Aeroflot is Russia’s largest carrier. The company operates a fleet of 88 airplanes, including the Russian-built Tupolev 134 and 154 aircraft, the Ilyushin 96 and a number of Airbus planes, such as the A-320 and the A-321. A smaller number of Boeing 767 airplanes are also flown. Aeroflot also announced healthy profit margins and revenue over the course of the past two years. The carrier’s net profit is said to have increased by about 46% during the first nine months of 2006, as compared with much lower figures from 2005. Aeroflot is currently considered to be Russia’s 36^th most significant business.

www.aeroflot.co.uk