World Cup Operations Present Challenges for Bizav

With private aviation traffic to this summer’s World Cup in Russia expected to equal, if not exceed, the level seen four years ago when Brazil hosted the tournament, trip-support experts are urging operators to make their plans as soon as possible. In the 11 host cities scattered across the country, a strictly enforced slot system will be in effect during the tournament. Even though operators may have already requested preferred dates and times, Russian authorities have noted that confirmations will not be released until two to three weeks before the matches start on June 14.

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With the exception of Moscow, aircraft parking will be a major concern, with priority being given to team transports and flights carrying FIFA officials or diplomatic delegations. As a result, in most cases, aircraft operators will be limited to drop-and-goes at most airports. “What [authorities] are saying is, depending on the number of passengers that you have on board, they are going to give you anywhere between 40 minutes and two hours [on the ground],” noted Christine Vamvakas, Universal Weather and Aviation’s operations communications manager. “They are not wanting you to receive services such as fuel, catering, and the sort, simply because during those days where they’re expecting heavier traffic because of the games, they’re wanting people to come in, drop off, pick up, and go.”

Be Prepared to 'Drop and Go'

All available information suggests that Russian authorities will strictly enforce the slot system and that operators who miss their designated slot may find it revoked and might face fines and cancellation of further downstream slots. In such a scenario, an operator would be required to reapply for slots in what is certain to be a vastly depleted pool and might have to change travel plans to accommodate them. Aircraft operators will be expected to hit their slots with a general deviation of plus or minus 30 minutes for short flights and 45 minutes for flights longer than three hours. Some airports may have different times, which are expected to be announced in early May.

With a dearth of airport parking, Vamvakas said, relocation of the aircraft is a near certainty. She noted that operators should expect to park up to several hundred miles away after dropping off passengers and should take that into consideration when planning crew duty periods. While Moscow’s three main airports—Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Domodedovo—will likely be handling the majority of the inbound World Cup traffic, two smaller airports, Ostafyevo and Zhukovsky (farther from the capital), are expected to have available parking for business aircraft. Depending on which city the passengers are interested in, Vamvakas noted, preferred alternate airports might even be outside Russia; she cited Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius as examples. “You’ve got to drop and go, which means you will have to tanker fuel,” she told BJT sister publication Aviation International News. “That means maybe an additional stop closer to the airport of entry, and then they will receive fuel at their destination where they will park.”

Those that do choose to fuel in Russia should note that jet-A is not available, and while TS-1 is similar, operators (especially those of older aircraft) should consult their operating manuals to see whether it is compatible with their airplane.

The games being spread throughout the country will put a strain on the airports in smaller cities, which in many cases will see far more private aviation traffic than they have previously experienced. Operators should expect to encounter higher-than-normal landing and ground-handling fees as a result, though the airports and ground handlers involved have been slow to publish prices. Vamvakas recommends that operators use a trip-support provider with local personnel who can help ensure they receive the services they require. Russia’s customs and immigration agency is expected to increase staffing at the host city airports to help the flow of passengers.

Accommodations Tight

Aside from Moscow, another concern is the lack of suitable hotel rooms. “The five-star hotels that U.S. crews and passengers are accustomed to will be extremely expensive and limited,” said David Kang, an account manager with Avplan International Trip Support. “Furthermore, what Russia classifies as a four-star hotel is more relatable to a three-star hotel in America, if that.”

There are reports of hotels charging up to 20 times the standard rate during the tournament while specifying a minimum number of nights and requiring non-refundable prepayment. “This trip will be expensive,” Kang stated. “While Russia promises pricing will be 'more reasonable' than during the Sochi Olympics, those prices were so high they deterred some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and organizations. Russia’s idea of 'reasonable' pricing is much higher than what would generally be considered reasonable.”

While certainly an issue for passengers remaining for the games, those accommodation prices should not concern crews relocating their aircraft farther from the game venues.

Access to ground transportation will also require advance planning, explained Vamvakas, with some providers demanding minimum engagements of one to two days, even for customers simply looking to travel between their hotel and the stadium.

If they have not done so already, operators should apply for their landing permits, especially if they plan on making multiple stops in country, or multiple entries due to relocating their aircraft outside the country, as such permits could take up to two weeks to process under normal conditions. Likewise, crews should obtain their visas well ahead of time. In an emergency, with proper documentation and advance notice to the ground provider, crew visas can be obtained at the three major Moscow airports, but Vamvakas noted that the process could take up to six hours. For passengers attending games, a Fan ID, which can be applied for online, will suffice, but working crews, even those planning on attending games, will still require a business visa.

For charter operators, the issue of cabotage rights is a concern, as Russia’s civil aviation authority is stringent about this. According to regulations, it is illegal to pick up passengers in Russia, transport them to another point in the country, and then leave them. Vamvakas noted there have been indications that Russia might be willing to relax its cabotage rules for the duration of the World Cup, but there has been no official ruling on this yet. During the tournament, private aviation traffic into airports near stadiums may be halted while games are being conducted if the stadium is close to the airport, so operators should be aware of the schedule and check Notams.

While only Ukraine and Georgia currently bear any restrictions on travel to Russia, Vamvakas and Kang agree that the tense geopolitical situation in the run-up to the World Cup requires watching.