ACCESS TO MOSCOW ed that the information be submitted along with the permit and slot requests in order to obtain the needed parking. Note that slots will be required for all host cities and should be requested in advance. Authorities have advised that approvals for permits and slots will likely not be known until a few days prior to operation of the particular flight. Hotels and transportation for this event will be in high demand and many will likely be blocked by the Organizational Committee. quality of services and that any requests that the crew or passengers might have are delivered on time. There are additional costs for these services, but it allows the operator to ensure that any unexpected requests or events are handled immediately. We recommend that operators speak to their trip support provider to determine the best services for their flight. BART: What can operators expect in regard to hotels and transportation in Moscow? KONOVALOV:Larger metropolitan cities such as Moscow have many different hotel options, including large international chains. In general, prices are elevated compared to other parts of the world. However, for large events, the popular options fill up fast, thus limiting options. For the World Cup, many hotels will be blocked, so it’s recommended that requests for such services are done in advance. There are ample transportation options when traveling to Moscow. It’s always recommended that operators look for pre-paid transportation through vetted sources. With security situations changing continually, it’s important to ensure that this is a vetted service that both crew and passengers can rely upon.
GAMES
Moscow is one of the host cities for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (left). Advance hotel reservations are recommended.
BART: Are there any specific security concerns in Moscow operators should be aware of? KONOVALOV: Security is generally very good at the Moscow airports, especially UUWW which handles many government and VIP flights. As with any international travel, it’s recommended that operators obtain a security brief in advance for both the city and the hotel you will be
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staying at. Over the past few years, we have seen incidents taking place at locations generally considered safe. BART: What information do you currently have regarding operating to Russia for the 2018 World Cup? KONOVALOV: Russia will be hosting the 2018 World Cup that will take place June 14 through July 15. This event will attract heavy traffic at multiple locations. There will be 11 host cities that include Moscow. For this month long event, operators need to consider that the opening ceremony and the final will take place in Moscow placing additional stress on to the airports. Russian authorities advised that NOTAMs will be issued for this event placing restrictions on airports. We are currently expecting that the maximum time on the ground at UUWW, UUDD, and UUEE will be two hours unless passengers onboard are head of state, official delegations, or have an invitation letter from the International Olympic Committee or FIFA. If you have a passenger that will meet one of the above stipulations, it’s recommend-
BART: What other thoughts or insight would you like to share with our readers on operating to Moscow? KONOVALOV: Although Russia CAA has streamlined many processes in recent years, it’s important to preplan and review all requirements for both the country and for the particular destination to keep up with the latest rules and regulations. As with any location, regulations can change at a moment’s notice, so it’s best to be prepared in advance. We were lucky enough to be able to get in touch with Dmitry Konovalov, an expert on operations, permits and ground support for Business Aviation in Russia. Dmitry, who has more than 13 years’ experience in Business Aviation, currently serves as general director, Universal Aviation Russia. Based in Khabarovsk, Dmitry is fluent in Russian and English. An active member of the Russian Business Aviation Association, Dmitry has a degree from Pacific State University. For more information on operating to Moscow, Russia and hundreds of other destinations around the world, you can reach Dmitry at dmitrykonovalov@universalaviation.aero
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