Flights to Turkey from 1 August became for Russians a Prime opportunity to rest abroad, are in high demand — so, the occupancy rate of flights of “Aeroflot” more than 85%. But the depth of booking tickets is low and is two to three weeks, and the total number of tourists by 30-40% lower than a year ago. While passengers are avoiding long-term planning due to fears of new restrictions, experts say, assuming that the high demand for travel to Turkey may persist and fall. These flights more profitable for airlines than many domestic routes, however, warn the experts, but at the expense of Turkey to survive the industry will fail.Demand for flights to Turkey, which was opened on August 1, already higher than last year. As reported by “Kommersant” in the “Aeroflot”, on the most desirable direction from Moscow to Istanbul, the number of reservations more than 27%, while the occupancy rate of flights to Turkey from 10 to 18 August exceeds 85%. Since the resumption of flights occurred recently, the depth of the reservation while the average is two weeks, specified in “Aeroflot” there. In S7 also say that the booking of tickets in Turkey there is a faster pace — there is pent-up demand. The most actively booked flights with a departure date until the end of August.According to Aviasales, since 24 July, when it announced the resumption of flights on August 9, the number of reservations of tickets from Russia to Turkey by 32% higher than last year. This ticket during the flight there and back cost 30% more expensive, on average, at 24.7 thousand rubles. tutu.ru talking about the growth of sales in half (reservation from 13 July to 9 August, departures from 10 August to 30 September).We are not talking about more popular destinations than last year, but only on pent-up demand: traditionally, by the end of July, the travelers had a chance to buy tickets, underline tutu.ru. The majority (69%) of tickets to Turkey bought from the departure date is within 8 to 30 days after purchase, clarify OneTwoTrip, 20% to a maximum of one week before departure.The depth of the reservation has decreased significantly, and affirms senior expert aviation practice Bain & Company Sergey Zaitsev. More than half of sales is generated for a few days, a week, before departure, he explains, which is associated with a reluctance to make long-term plans under conditions of risk, new regulatory restrictions of air traffic. But, said Mr. Zaitsev, now the tickets are sold at relatively low prices, so no need to book in advance.Sales of organized tours, usually prevalent in Turkey, fell seriously — according Travelata.ru, 64% in an average week, compared to last year. Representative OnlineTur.ru Igor Blinov says that sales are lower by about half. Most Russian tourists in the Turkish resorts — families with children, he explains: “it is important For them back��Sya in Moscow until September 1, most have planned or spent his vacation in Russia.”The interlocutor of “Kommersant” in the market adds that only 30% of departing in August, the Turkish resorts of Russians had bought tours after the news about the resumption of flights, and the rest moved their trips to previously purchased reservations in the spring and early summer. It is estimated that in August Turkey usually visits at least 1 million Russian tourists, 80% of which — the organized flow. The interlocutor of “Kommersant” suggests that given the current pattern of flights and their occupancy rate this year monthly flow for August may be about 600 thousand people.Elena Sahnova from “VTB Capital” notes that Turkey is the most intuitive and popular among Russians direction and the demand for it may continue in September—October depending on weather conditions. The opening of flights has allowed some airlines to raise aircraft, others actively use them. Download, which gives Turkey can provide, not all domestic flights, the expert adds, for example, the airline “Russia” covers a flight to Crimea—the far East and opening the Turkey.Analyst corporate ratings NRA Alla Yurova believes that the high demand in a favourable development of the epidemiological situation at Turkish resorts may survive until November, and possibly until the end of the year if we retain much of the current limitations on international flights. Flights to Turkey will support the cash flow of airlines, a recognized expert, but that is the only direction to compensate for the loss of the rest of the international passenger traffic will not succeed.Olga Nikitina, Aleksandra Mertsalova
