Aeroflot to transport Transaero passengers on international flights until October 5

Holders of Transaero tickets for international flights will be transported through October 5, Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Savelyev told journalists Friday. "Transportation of passengers from abroad does not stop on October 5 until all the passengers are transferred. As for the tickets purchased as part of the tour package, the refunds will be managed by the tour operators. Detailed information with step by step explanation of how to get a refund or to exchange tickets, will be posted today [October 2 — TASS] on Aeroflot and Transaero websites. This information is also available in our call centers," Aeroflot press service said. As for domestic passengers, Aeroflot will transport them through October 15, after that purchased tickets will be refunded, Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Savelyev informed. "On October 1 Aeroflot Board of Directors made a decision that we bring the passengers. All obligations of Transaero before passengers will be carried out by Aeroflot. It will be either passenger transport services or full refunds," he said. According to Savelyev, Aeroflot will not apply for the government support when carrying Transaero passengers. "Different options are in place to tackle the situation with stopped sales of tickets," Aeroflot CEO said. "We withdrew from the transaction but are meeting social commitments to passengers. We do not ask for money and the government support in this regard," he added. Aeroflot could hire 5,000 - 6,000 Transaero employees Aeroflot group could hire 5,000 - 6,000 employees of Transaero airline, Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Savelyev went on to say. "Aeroflot will form joint carrier on the basis of our subsidies. In the case the decision on Transaero is made, Aeroflot is ready to hire 5,000 - 6,000 Transaero employees. The rest of the staff — Transaero employs about 12,000 people — will be employed jointly by the Federal Labor and Employment Service and the Federal Air Transport Agency. We know that Transaero employed highly qualified personnel, so there was no question," he said. Aeroflot has no authority to pay old Transaero debts Aeroflot has no authority to pay old debts of Transaero airline, Aeroflot CEO added. "Aeroflot has no authority to pay old debts of Transaero. To do this we will create a club of creditors, who will make the decisions. The office was set up in Transaero and Aeroflot with the participation of the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency representatives, which will operate on a daily basis for two weeks until October 15 to ensure transportation and avoid possible problems that will come along with the implementation of this plan. We will, if necessary, resort to the help of our colleagues from other airlines, from Aeroflot group as well as from third-party Russian airlines. As of now, we will do everything in time and without failures if nobody interferes," Savelyev said. Shareholders and creditors of Transaero have to choose one of scenarios of the company’s financial recovery; the company’s fate will be decided after that, Savelyev concluded.