International passenger traffic at Russia’s second largest airport, Sheremetyevo, reached 10,554,000, an increase of just 2,000 passengers YOY between January-July. However, domestic traffic surged by 23.7%, totalling 7,325,000 passengers. Overall traffic increased by 1.5m between January and July YOY.

 

In July overall traffic increase 8.2% YOY amounting to 3,371,000 with international traffic seeing 20,000 less passengers YOY. But it was, once again, domestic traffic, which posted an impressive double-digit increase of 25.5% to 1,362,000, which pushed up the overall percentage growth.

 

Earlier this month, TRBusiness reported that the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says the government is seriously considering imposing no-fly restrictions over Russian air space on foreign airlines.

 

Potential measures include an airspace ban against European and US airlines that fly over Russian airspace to Eastern Asia, namely, the Asia-Pacific Region. “This is a very tough measure indeed,” said Medvedev. :Nevertheless, it should be mentioned.”

 

Sheremetyevo is Russia’s second largest airport.

 

Between January-July 2014 Antalya, Paris, Prague, Beijing were among the most popular foreign destinations, with St Petersburg, Simferopol, Sochi, Krasnodar among the most sought-after domestic destinations.

 

The bulk of passenger-traffic gains observed in seven months was provided by Aeroflot, Transaero, Donavia, Nordwind, Orenburg Airlines, Nordavia, Air France.