OREANDA-NEWS. January 24, 2013. Northern Capital Gateway LLC awarded best 2012 airlines performing flights to Pulkovo Airport. Similar event had been already held previously but this year the ceremony got the symbolic name LED TOGETHER (LED – is the Pulkovo Airport IATA code), expressing an idea of close and efficient cooperation. The ceremony was visited by not only by representatives of airlines already performing scheduled flights to Pulkovo Airport, but as well by these one carriers who just plans to do it; besides the event hosted key partners, members of tourism industry and of best St.Petersburg hotels.

Rossiya Airlines (Pulkovo-based carrier) won the award: Fastest Growing Russian Carrier (increase of traffic by 700 000 passengers, number of Take-offs/Landings increased by 4500 movements). That is the greatest rate among Russian airlines operated at Pulkovo. Rossiya Airlines flies to 96 destinations from Pulkovo. In 2012 the company launched the biggest number of scheduled flights and started flights to Alicante, Pula, Tenerife, Eilat and Nukus.

Estonian Air and Uzbekistan airways were named as The Most Fast Growth International Airline and The Most Fast Growth CIS Airline. Transaero Airlines (second Pulkovo-based carrier) won an award as The Most Fast Growth Long Haul Airline. Out of 11 long haul destinations from Pulkovo the company performs flights to 9 international and domestic destinations. As to year result, passenger flow rate of these destinations amounted to more than 114 000 passengers, i.e. 35% of passenger flow growth rate and about 30% of performed flights.

According to passengers’ opinion UTair was awarded For Punctuality, Aeroflot – For Best Price, Emirates – For Best Service, Lufthansa – For Best Information Technologies, yet the AK BARS AERO flight to Astrakhan became The Most Successful New Destination. Aegean Airlines was set to be The Most Fast Growth New Airline: the company showed the best passenger traffic rate among 6 airlines, started scheduled flights from Pulkovo in 2012.

Icelandair became The 2012 Expectance. In summer 2913 first ever scheduled flight will connect Saint Petersburg with the capital of Iceland – Reykjavik.

“In 2012 Pulkovo handled 11 154 560 passenger and once again was rated as the third biggest in Russia as to passenger flow. That’s certainly became possible thanks largely to effective cooperation with airlines. I believe that LED TOGETHER ceremony will become a place of annual partner’s meeting. Our joint activity on expansion of route network and launch of additional flights not only support successful development of Saint Petersburg air harbour, but as well contribute to development of city tourism industry and economy of the North West region by creation of new vacancies and increase of contribution to budgets. Route network expansion will help to consolidate business ties and to create proper conditions for development of regional business community” said Sergey Emdin CEO NCG LLC.