#1
Mar 27, 2024Earlier in the spring AY announced a new summer connection to Murmansk. Since then, that leg has disappeared from the AY online bookings.
The Helsinki-Vantaa airport online schedule still lists:
HEL-MMK 357 2350 *0245 AY189 EMJ NONSTOP
MMK-HEL 146 0600 0650 AY 190 EMJ NONSTOP
starting on 1 July.
What happened? MMK is not well connected, it has a growing business community and it has potential to become even a more frequent destination (with daily flights and better schedule)... After all, AY started IEV with one flight a week, but operates that route today on a daily basis (some flights as codeshares).
The Helsinki-Vantaa airport online schedule still lists:
HEL-MMK 357 2350 *0245 AY189 EMJ NONSTOP
MMK-HEL 146 0600 0650 AY 190 EMJ NONSTOP
starting on 1 July.
What happened? MMK is not well connected, it has a growing business community and it has potential to become even a more frequent destination (with daily flights and better schedule)... After all, AY started IEV with one flight a week, but operates that route today on a daily basis (some flights as codeshares).
#2
TodayAccording to the following link:
http://barentsnova.com/node/1103
AY axed whole MMK route before it started.
Hmm.. no press release, nothing on their website or bookings...
http://barentsnova.com/node/1103
AY axed whole MMK route before it started.
Hmm.. no press release, nothing on their website or bookings...
#3
Quote:
Certainly not a good business strategy. It reminds me of AY's adventure to Kuala Lumpur, some five years ago. AY launched the route, but axed it before it ever started. Originally Posted by OH-LGG
AY axed whole MMK route before it started.
MMK would certainly become profitable with some marketing... both in Russia and in Europe.
#4
Perhaps they are waiting for the final decision on the development of Shtokman gas field? If it goes forward, there will be a lot of demand for flights. The decision has been postponed MANY times, it should come in Q3/11. Well, that's the plan anyway 
#5
FlyingPrince22 , Jun 14, 2011 1:09 am
Yet MMK was supposed to be a summer destination. Hardly any tourism industry up there...
#6
Quote:
I do believe there is quite a lot of salmon fishing going on around the Kola Peninsula. Similar tourist industry to those in Alaska and Canada at least in that aspect.Originally Posted by FlyingPrince22
Yet MMK was supposed to be a summer destination. Hardly any tourism industry up there...
#7
Quote:
Yeah, lots of rods in luggage on the MMK route. Mostly pax from Britain on that route IIRC. The flights have been quite full in previous years so no idea what's up this year.Originally Posted by mosburger
I do believe there is quite a lot of salmon fishing going on around the Kola Peninsula. Similar tourist industry to those in Alaska and Canada at least in that aspect.
#8
Quote:
I just checked, out of curiosity, that return flights from major European hubs to MMK start from 500€ in Y and 1.500€ in J. Since these involve travelling via LED or SVO, which are not exactly among the most excellent transfer hubs, there would certainly be a market for AY via HEL.Originally Posted by mosburger
I do believe there is quite a lot of salmon fishing going on around the Kola Peninsula.
A classical case of a good business opportunity lost because of bad or insufficient marketing?