Pobeda low-cost carrier reaches 3-million passenger landmark

Low-cost carrier Pobeda, part of the Aeroflot Group, has carried its 3 millionth passenger. The passenger was registered on a 10:50 Moscow-Sochi flight (DP 117).

This landmark event was celebrated at Pobeda’s home airport of Vnukovo, Moscow. Participants included Russia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vnukovo Airport Vitaly Vantsev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pobeda and CEO of Aeroflot Vitaly Saveliev, and CEO of Pobeda Andrey Kalmykov.

Pobeda currently operates flights on 33 routes, 31 of them within Russia. Its two first regular international routes were launched in December. Pobeda’s fleet comprises 12 brand new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. In the first quarter of 2015, Pobeda became one of Russia’s 10 largest airlines. Pobeda today is the first successful example of a classic low-cost carrier model in Russia, and is reshaping the country’s domestic aviation industry. The airline offers attractive prices on a number of socially significant and high-demand routes – exerting pressure on other carriers’ price policy.

“Developing domestic air transport and making it more accessible are the key challenges currently facing the country’s commercial aviation sector. Creating a low-cost carrier will help us achieve these goals and will also open up greater opportunity for our passengers. Pobeda has made great achievements and now has to expand and strengthen what it has achieved on the domestic market, while also taking a strong position on international routes,” Maxim Sokolov said.

“Today Pobeda carried its 3-millionth passenger. This further cements the company’s reputation. In just one year, Pobeda has proved the low-cost model works in Russia, and that air-transport can be accessible. In 2016, Pobeda will strengthen its position among Russia’s top-10 airlines, reach the 4 million mark, and expand its flight destinations to include more Russian and international routes,” said Vitaly Saveliev.

Pobeda made its first flight on 1 December 2014 and within the first month and a half of operation had already proved its commercial viability on the domestic aviation market, where it enjoys high demand.