Dobrolet, the first Russian low-cost airline launched recently, has to halt its activity due to the sanctions imposed by the West. The fact is that all the contracts on aircraft leasing and maintenance were canceled. Besides, aviators are likely to be not able to obtain necessary navigation information. Assuming such bleak prospects, Aeroflot had nothing to do but to wind down the project. It accused the foreign air companies of ruining the giant manqué of passenger transportation in their own interests.
Dobrolet started selling tickets for its flights in May. The company which was subjected to the limitations by the West made its Moscow-Simferopol flight on June 10. The Russian business is going to feel the impact by the sanctions even deeply. Apart from the companies, the local billionaires suffer as well. Gennady Timchenko, a close friend of Mr Putin, for example, cannot make use of his private plane G650 worth $64 million. The businessman has already complained that the craft is still in Moscow. Furthermore, Gulfstream does not provide it with all the necessary spare parts, while pilots cannot use the navigation system.
