Russian Ministry of Transport is ready to allow foreign carriers to operate charter flights between Russian cities in the period of World Cup 2018, Kommersant reports.

The ministry is ready to allow foreign carriers to operate charter flights between Russian cities in the period of World Cup 2018, mass-media reported with reference to the Russian Minister of Transport, Maxim Sokolov, who delivered a speech at the meeting of organizing committee of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. 

He said: “Taking into account the expected number of foreign fans such flights may be operated between the cities, which host the world cup and the cities, where fans and sportsmen will be accommodated". The minister expects that 1,8 million passengers will be transported by air during the world cup. A source familiar with the situation noted, that the Ministry of Transport is ready to offer such possibility to foreign airlines "as a help and insurance for Russian carriers taking into account the high level of this event".

According to Maxim Sokolov, the air transport will carry FIFA client groups (teams, organizers, journalists, commercial partners, etc.), 85% of foreign fans and a half of Russian fans from outlying regions. "First of all this refers to teams having contracts with foreign carriers",— the source added. The final format of activities of the foreign airlines will be defined later.

Airlines declined to comment on the ministry’s idea, but the sources close to the industry were surprised by it. "Decisions made by the authorities are inconsistent, — said one of them,— on one hand the focus is on maximum use of the national resources – Russian-produced aircraft and regional aviation, on the other hand – privileges  for foreign airlines that Russian carriers will never get in any other country, where such events are held". Another source called the offered decision “unpatriotic”, because foreign airlines will get additional profit, while the “national carriers will have to deal with the tax burden”. According to the source close to the industry, such idea may have been offered in light of concerns connected with flight safety. Possibly foreign participants of the world cup questioned the flight safety standards of Russian aviation, he suggested.