OREANDA-NEWS. November 17, 2010. JSC Aeroflot Russian Airlines has completed carrying out the 2010 subsidized governmental transportation program aimed at increasing accessibility of traveling from/to Far Eastern regions and the European part of Russia, reported the press-centre of Aeroflot.

From April 1 to October 31, 2010 about 95 000 passengers were carried on long-haul flights between the Russian Far East and European part of Russia on tariffs subsidized by the Government of the Russian Federation; that is 3.5 times more compared to the respective period of 2009. Aeroflot took the leading position among the Russian transportation companies in the implementation of governmental programs.

According to the terms and conditions of the program Aeroflot provided reduced-fare Economy class tickets for Russian citizens under 23 years old and over 60 years old on all flights from the Russian Far East to Moscow and back.

Aeroflot is the biggest company that has long-haul IL-96 planes manufactured in Russia; the Il-96 are actively used in Far Eastern flights. Under the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation Aeroflot provided a large number of seats for people eligible for social security benefits. This fact helped to meet the growing demand of 2010.

According to Vitali Saveliev, the head of Aeroflot Airlines Company, ‘corporate social responsibility is an established tradition and an important principle of operation of Aeroflot. Our company pays special attention to working with underprivileged groups of people, carries out its own social programs and participates in various charity projects.’ Aeroflot was the first Russian airline to introduce free tickets for the veterans of the Great Patriotic War during the celebrations of Victory Day. Aeroflot helps sick children by providing free seats for them to transport them to hospitals abroad, helps artists and talented youth. These measures are taken on a regular basis and are part of comprehensive programs.