OREANDA-NEWS. February 05, 2009. In 2008, Aeroflot Group became the leader among the carriers on the Russian market of both international and domestic passenger traffic. Last year, the Group flew around 12 million people, 14% more than in 2007, reported the press-centre of Aeroflot.

This figure includes over 5 million passengers on domestic routes, 19% more than in 2007. The Group’s share in the passenger traffic industry is estimated to have grown by 3% as compared to 2007 and reached approximately 20% of all passenger traffic in Russia. On domestic routes, JSC Aeroflot flew 3.6 million passengers (27% more than in 2007); JSC Aeroflot-Don flew 567,000 passengers; JSC Aeroflot-Nord carried 922,000 passengers.

The CEO Valery Okulov said that, “JSC Aeroflot has Russia’s highest level of domestic traffic growth, which together with the steady growing passenger load factor and revenue rate per seat kilometer proves that the company’s orientation toward the high-priority of the home market is justified.”

In spite of the stiff competition with Russian and international airline companies and the ongoing economical crisis, Aeroflot was able to successfully implement its anti-crisis program and reach an agreement with petroleum suppliers as to the market price formula for jet fuel at Sheremetyevo Airport.

That, combined with the continuing air fleet renovation and other measures, has not only enabled the company to finish 2008 with positive results but also prepared a solid basis for 2009, which promises to be still more challenging.