OREANDA-NEWS. March 24, 2010. Aeroflot honours the 65th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory, and holds the traditional campaign ‘Following the War Glory’, in the period of May 3-27, 2010.

In 2001, Aeroflot was the first Russian carrier to found the tradition of providing the free carriage service to the GPW vets.  Over 3.5 thousand veterans participated in the first campaign. In 2009, the campaign carried over 3 thousand veterans. Over the nine years of the campaign history more than 30 thousand war vets, victims of the siege of Leningrad and prisoners of concentration camps used Aeroflot’s free tickets.

Aeroflot’s traditional May campaign dedicated to the Victory Day is a commemoration of the heroism of people in the Great Patriotic War. Regrettably, with every coming year we see fewer of these honorary passengers each of whom has a heroic and sometimes tragic story behind. Aeroflot does its best so that the veterans continue to visit their relatives, brothers in arms, battle sites, and so that hundreds of wreaths continue to be laid on the beds of honour of the Russian soldiers throughout the whole territory from Vladivostok to the European capitals. 

Aeroflot’s campaign for the vets is heartily embraced by the company’s staff, who understand the meaningfulness of the event – they make every effort to simplify ticket issuing, and pay special attention to this special category of passengers on board. The time spent in communication with veterans helps consolidate the staff team through the sense of belonging to a notable and worthy cause.

The company receives multiple letters of gratitude from citizens, veteran committees and other social organizations. The campaign is especially important for the veterans living in the CIS and Baltic countries, for whom it is sometimes the only chance to meet their relatives and friends in Russia. Aeroflot in its turn uses every opportunity to thank citizens, state and non-profit organizations, local authorities and Russian Embassies supporting this noble cause.

In 2010, Aeroflot provides veterans, soldiers of the Great Patriotic War, victims of the siege of Leningrad, ex-prisoners of Nazi camps, and disabled veterans of the GPW with an opportunity to fly free of charge with Aeroflot’s regular flights from destinations in Russia, the CIS and Baltic countries to European cities (in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Austria and the Czech Republic), as well as between destinations in the CIS and Baltic countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kirghizia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Latvia) and destinations in Russia. The campaign does not cover Aeroflot’s code-shared flights. However, Aeroflot’s subsidiaries Donavia and Nordavia have decided to contribute to the campaign and are providing several of their flights to carry war vets.

The offer under the campaign is fully provided to the GPW veterans and disabled veterans who are residents and/or citizens of the CIS and Baltic countries formerly included in the USSR.

The carriage under the campaign is to start strictly in the period of May 3-27, 2010. The carriage can be ordered from April 15 through May 27, 2010. Tickets issued under the campaign will be valid within one month.

Aeroflot has multiple times received public recognition and social responsibility awards for its collaboration with health institutions: carriage of sick children and disabled people to the European and American clinics for treatment and surgeries; support of cultural, sports, educational and science programs.

For more information on the campaign conditions, call the 24-hour multichannel Contact Center (495) 223-55-55, 8-800-333-5555 or paid number 0933 (from mobile phone), ask from our staff at Aeroflot’s sales and representative offices, and visit the website www.aeroflot.ru.

AEROFLOT is Russia’s leading air carrier, member of the global SkyTeam alliance. Its consolidated route network covers 856 destinations in 169 countries. The company accounts for over 42% of Russia’s regular international traffic. In 2008, Aeroflot carried 9.3 million passengers, with its subsidiaries, 11.6 million.
Aeroflot was the first Russian carrier to enter the IOSA Registry, and has multiple times confirmed the certificate. Aeroflot has successfully passed the ISAGO (IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations) procedure. The company’s Quality Management System is certified for compliance with ISO 9001:2000О.
Aeroflot operates one of Europe’s youngest air fleets that consists of 118 aircraft. Aeroflot is based in Moscow, at the Sheremetyevo International Airport. Find more at www.aeroflot.ru.