OREANDA-NEWS. June 05, 2015. Pobeda, the low-cost carrier subsidiary of Aeroflot Group, today carried its millionth passenger.

Anna Bryk, a student at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia in Moscow, bought a ticket for the Moscow-Sochi flight departing at 1:00 pm.

A ceremony to celebrate the landmark was held at Pobeda’s home airport of Vnukovo. Participants included Russia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vnukovo airport Vitaly Vantsev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pobeda and CEO of Aeroflot Vitaly Saveliev, and CEO of Pobeda Andrei Kalmykov.

Pobeda made its first flight on 1 December 2014 and currently operates flights to 34 destinations in Russia with a fleet of 11 brand-new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. In the first three months of 2015, it became one of Russia’s 10 largest airlines. Pobeda is the first successful example of a classic low-cost carrier model in Russia, and is reshaping the country’s domestic aviation industry. The airline offers attractive prices on a number of socially significant and high-demand routes.

"Today we are marking an important occasion — serving Pobeda’s millionth passenger," said Vitaly Vantsev. "The airline is growing at an extraordinary rate, as is its home airport, Vnukovo, which is continuing to see rapid increases in passenger volumes. In January to May 2015, passenger numbers rose by 27.9% to 5.668 million. We are pleased to see continued growth on domestic routes, led by Aeroflot Group, which accounts for 27.8% of total passenger volumes at Vnukovo. I would like to thank the management of Aeroflot Group for their faith in Vnukovo as part of the project to develop affordable flights in Russia. I believe that our passengers enjoy flying with Pobeda from Vnukovo!"

"The first million passengers is a milestone for Pobeda and illustrates yet again that a low-cost carrier is in high demand in Russia and can be successful," Vitaly Saveliev said. "This project has exceeded our expectations. In less than half a year Pobeda has become one of the 10 largest carriers in the country. The success of this young company is making a key contribution to Aeroflot Group’s strategy, which focuses on making air travel available to all Russian citizens and increasing social mobility."