Russian airport rail link operator Aeroexpress has said it is to terminate loss-making services in Vladivostok and Kazan.
In a statement, Aeroexpress said it already started talks with local operators to transfer the business and assets linked with its Kazan International Airport-Yubileinaya and Vladivostok-Knevichi Airport services.
The two routes, which were launched to transport visitors to and from the 2012 APEC summit (Vladivostok) and the 2013 Summer Universiade (Kazan), reported a combined loss of RUB 192 million in 2014.
Alexey Sorokin, chief operating officer at Aeroexpress, said: “For the several years of Aeroexpress’ presence in these regions, our company has strived to provide passengers with maximum comfort and the highest level of service.
“Despite the fact that both projects are supported by the federal government, expenses incurred by Aeroexpress in the regions have not been yet reimbursed. In 2014 alone, the company’s losses amounted to RUB 130,000,000 in Vladivostok and approximately RUB 62,000,000 in Kazan. We have not yet received any compensations or subsidies from the Vladivostok local government.
“As for the Kazan project, only a 50 per cent compensation have been paid. The only reason why we continue the operation in these regions is the responsibility to our passengers and the urge to meet their needs.”
Sorokin said the company hopes to find an operator to pick up the service so as not to impact on passengers.
He added: “Unfortunately, the current macroeconomic situation and the fact that the cost of using the railroad infrastructure by Aeroexpress has risen 100 times as of 5 January 2015 have forced our company to cease activities there.”
