Kaliningrad airport will implement Open skies policy. It was stated by Russian Minister of Transport, Maxim Sokolov, on November 8^th 2014 during his visit to Kaliningrad Region, press-service of the region’s government reports.

«Russian Ministry of Transport decided to remove restrictions on flights performed in accordance with the so-called fifth freedom of the air (fifth freedom traffic rights) at the Khrabrovo airport (Kaliningrad Region). This decision allows Russian and foreign carriers to use Kaliningrad airport as a transit hub; this situation provides additional potential for development of the airport and helps increase its passenger traffic causing the lowering of fares and ticket prices», - the minister said.

Maxim Sokolov added that citizens of Kaliningrad Region will have the opportunity to travel to different European cities thanks to implementation of the Open skies policy. Kaliningrad will become the third city in our country to implement Open skies policy (in accordance with the fifth freedom of the air). «This will increase the investment potential of the whole industry and Kaliningrad Region», - he stated.

Governor of Kaliningrad Region, Nikolai Tsukanov, said that he asked the President of Russia to consider the possibility of extending the period of validity of the program for subsidizing flights to Kaliningrad until December 31^st on an annual basis. We remind you that at present the program remains in force from May 15^th to October 15^th.

«Air transport is the primary mean of transport carrying passengers from Kaliningrad to European part of Russia. The program for subsidizing flights on these routes is of great importance for us. Over 200 thousand passengers bought low fare tickets this year», - Nikolai Tsukanov said. The governor also added that Russian Ministry of Transport supports his initiative and the federal budget will allocate funds to support the program next year.

«Under this program the flight from Kaliningrad to Moscow costs 3800 rubles (2300 rubles are subsidized per person), to St. Petersburg – 3500 rubles (1800 rubles are subsidized per person). The subsidies from the federal budget were provided to six air carriers: Aeroflot, UTair, Sibir’, Transaero, Red Wings and Ural Airlines. 468040,1 thousand rubles were allocated for implementation of this program in 2014. At that 100% of these funds were used», - the region’s government explained.

We remind you that four years ago the governor of Kaliningrad Region, Nikolai Tsukanov, asked the President of Russia, Chairman of the Russian government, Deputies of the Chairman of Russian government and the Minister of Transport to help assure the availability of air transport for citizens of Kaliningrad Region. The authorities made the decision to implement the program for subsidizing flights from Kaliningrad to European part of Russia and back. At first only residents of Kaliningrad Region younger than 23 and older than 60 were able to purchase the low fare tickets. Later the age restrictions have been removed, but the discounts have become available only during the certain period – from May 15^th to September 15^th. In 2013 all the residents of Russia became eligible to purchase the low fare tickets on flights on routes Kaliningrad – Moscow – Kaliningrad and Kaliningrad – St. Petersburg – Kaliningrad during “high season” – from May 15^th to October 15^th.