OREANDA-NEWS. September 10, 2012. Second largest European low cost carriers EasyJet plans to enter the Russian market.

The company applied for flights between London and Moscow, and is in talks with the St. Petersburg airport "Pulkovo" on flights to Britain, and Switzerland.

As reported by the publication of several sources in the aviation market, the carrier has already held talks with the airports of the Moscow aviation hub, and its delegation visited the airport "Pulkovo", from discounter plans to open flights in summer 2013.

In just over the long term the airline is considering flights from five cities in Russia to London, Edinburgh and Manchester, as well as in the cities of Switzerland (where the British carrier is the "daughter").

To start flights to Moscow, EasyJet announced to win the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) competition to fill BMI airlines on the route Moscow - London.

Meeting, following which the regulator will make a choice, and will be held on October 1-2, except EasyJet in this direction claim Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.

Competition in the frequencies was appointed after British Airways acquired its rival in spring - airline BMI (now the two companies are designated carriers from the British side in the Russian sector).

According to the requirements of the European Commission, the new company had to abandon 14 of 56 scarce slots at the London airport "Heathrow", which previously belonged to BMI. According to the intergovernmental agreements, the line between London and Moscow can be operated on a parity basis, so the CAA an opportunity to put in this area second British carrier.

British Airways still expects to retain the route belonging to BMI: the company wants to go beyond the limitations and the European Commission is ready to start flights from London's second largest airport "Gatwick" in Moscow airport "Sheremetyevo" (now the company is flying in "Domodedovo").

Another competitor EasyJet is Virgin Atlantic. The application of the carrier said that the airline will fly in "Domodedovo", where the carrier has found a partner in the "Transaero". The application Virgin Atlantis said that on this line the company plans to operate A330-300 in three-class configuration.

EasyJet in his application to CAA said that he was going to fly to Moscow for the A320 in single-class configuration, designed to carry 180 passengers.

Source publication in the "Sheremetyevo" confirmed that they have held preliminary talks with the British discounter, has been invited to fly from Terminal C. EasyJet representatives met with the leaders of other Moscow airports - "Vnukovo" and "Domodedovo".

"Experience has shown that when we come into a new market, we will re-open it, promote competition and reduce tariffs, are enabling a wider range of passengers traveling on this route, - said the representative of EasyJet. - Rates in the Moscow area are too high, and we believe if the right to fly in this area has a BA or Virgin Atlantic, the status quo will remain and no downward pressure on prices will not. "

Operates 204 aircraft airline EasyJet aviadiskaunterom is a classic, the second largest in Europe. Now airline route network has around 600 destinations in more than 30 countries. The company has experience of flying outside the EU. So, she flies from London to Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and Turkey.