Aviators got used to the budget – Business – Kommersant

The Association of Air Transport Operators (AEVT) applied to the Ministry of Transport with a proposal to consider extending the subsidy to air carriers for 100 billion rubles. until October. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance confirmed that they are considering the option of maintaining state support for domestic transportation for the summer season. Experts doubt that in the end the aviators will receive the required amount in full, although they admit such a possibility. They consider it more rational and realistic to allocate funds for targeted transportation programs.

“Kommersant” got acquainted with the letter of the head of the association Vladimir Tasun to the Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev dated February 2, which contains a proposal to allocate 100 billion rubles from the budget. subsidies for domestic transportation from 1 April to 31 October. The document says that the extension of Decree No. 2239 to compensate for the operating expenses of carriers under the sanctions will allow reaching the targets for passenger traffic for the year (more than 100 million people).

The AEVT also proposes to “maintain the financial and economic stability of airlines” to resume subsidies for family flights in Russia from June 1 to October 31. The subsidy amounted to 1.3 billion rubles. in 2021 and 2022 it was not extended, but S7 asked to increase it to 5 billion rubles.

The AEVT did not comment on the letter. The Ministry of Transport reported that “together with the departments involved, they are working to extend subsidies to airlines for the summer season.” One of Kommersant’s interlocutors in the industry noted that the Ministry of Transport redirected the appeal of carriers with economic justifications from the Ministry of Finance. There, “Kommersant” was told that the issue “is being worked out at the government site.”

One of Kommersant’s interlocutors in the industry believes that the subsidy “will not be extended at all.” Funding will be retained, but “in a much smaller amount,” says Igor Smirnov, director of corporate ratings at Expert RA: “The authorities remain motivated to extend the program.” In his opinion, even 100 billion rubles. “Today they look like a feasible amount for the budget.”

If the Ministry of Transport finds an opportunity to reallocate funds from other programs for these purposes during the spring budget adjustment, “the decision will be supported with a high probability,” the expert believes.

He also calls it possible to allocate funds from the government’s reserve fund.

At the same time, Igor Smirnov also allows for the option that the aviation authorities will consider the situation in 2023 “quite stabilized in relation to 2022.” “Some recovery of traffic in January-February (in February, traffic did not decrease year-on-year for the first time.— “b”) can be interpreted as compensation for the 11 airports closed last year and the lost part of international flights,” he says, adding that this year the authorities can also count on an increase in flights to China.

Even if the subsidies are not renewed, ticket prices will not rise sharply, Mr. Smirnov adds: “This is hardly possible due to vulnerable purchasing power against the backdrop of other existing programs to subsidize regional flights, and is also unlikely to be left without close attention of regulators.”

For airlines that are largely dependent on budget support, the uncertainty and volatility in this matter “looks like a very big problem,” says Oleg Panteleev, Executive Director of Aviaport: “It is impossible to correctly plan a flight program without having initial data on the amount of demand for which is affected by the affordability of tickets. Moreover, it is impossible to correctly form financial forecasts.

Mr. Panteleev considers targeted transportation support programs aimed at socially unprotected segments of the population or at supporting tourism as a “rational approach”. In addition, he adds, support for the fleet through subsidies for the purchase of aircraft from lessors, maintenance and repair of equipment, and training of personnel can stand apart: “These areas should be a priority, as they ensure the sustainability of the industry as a whole.”

Aigul Abdullina