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Starting from May 3rd 2006 one more low – cost airline will enter Russian air market – Oslo- St. Petersburg – Oslo flight will be realized three times per week by Norwegian Airlines, said Norwegian Tourism Committee in Moscow – Innovation Norway.
According to unaccredited sources, initially Norwegian planned to fly from Moscow but failed due to unsuccessful negotiations with Aeroflot. At the moment only the national Airline realizes direct flights to Oslo and it is doubting Aeroflot wanted a competitor.
Meanwhile, according to Olga Fillipenko, Tourism director of Innovation Norway, the airline hopes for co-operation with tour operating companies. Nevertheless, the demand for low-cost flight to Norway is questionable in the St. Petersburg market. Thus, Polina Kashaeva, Senior Manager of Scandinavian Department of Vedi-tour, pointed out the distance between St. Petersburg and Finland, which makes it less expensive to travel by bus than by air.
“Potentially it could be interesting, but everything will depend on contracting terms. It will not work with group tours if the flight cost is more than 150$”, said Maxim Pirogov, General Director Deputy of Neva Travel Company (St. Petersburg). Although, the Norwegian Airline offers a one way flight for 50 Euro (May - June), it has not started negotiations with tour operators.
