Train ticket sales from Petersburg to Moscow increased, as reported by ATOR.
In a series of events that have caused widespread disruption, both Moscow and St. Petersburg airports have imposed flight restrictions, as Russian air defense forces have successfully shot down over 120 drones in the early hours of July 6th. The chaos in central Russia's airports has led to several hundred flights being delayed or canceled.
The most affected areas include Kursk, Orel, and Belgorod, where a total of 68 drones were destroyed. In Kursk alone, 29 drones were brought down, while 18 were destroyed over Orel. Two drones were also shot down over Tver Oblast and the Azov Sea, and another three over Leningrad Oblast. Smolensk and Novgorod each saw two drones being destroyed. In addition, 17 drones were destroyed over Belgorod, and another 30 were destroyed over Bryansk Oblast.
Air traffic between Moscow and St. Petersburg has been severely affected, with the Russian Association of Tour Operators reporting that air traffic is almost paralyzed. Out of 52 flights scheduled to depart after noon, 30 were canceled, and nine were delayed. Despite this, Pulkovo airport is currently operating normally, although stabilizing the schedule will take time. Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports have also imposed flight restrictions.
Airport services and airline representatives are working diligently to achieve schedule stabilization, but the situation remains uncertain. In contrast, the Russian rail network has shown resilience and remains a preferred choice for many travelers. With all tickets for trains from St. Petersburg to Moscow having sold out, it appears that the reliability and convenience of rail travel, combined with any perceived risks or disruptions in air travel, could contribute to the rapid sale of train tickets.
As of now, only one seat remains on the 23:30 train from St. Petersburg to Moscow, first class for 21,300 rubles. Tickets for July 7th morning are selling out quickly, indicating that this trend is likely to continue.
The preference for rail travel, the network's resilience, and the introduction of new high-speed trains between Moscow and St. Petersburg in 2026 are all factors contributing to the popularity of train travel. However, the specific impact of air traffic disruptions and drone attacks on ticket sales is not detailed in the current information.
Despite these challenges, the Russian rail network continues to serve as a reliable alternative for travelers, offering a sense of stability in an otherwise chaotic situation.
- The shortage of available flights due to airport restrictions and disruptions in air traffic might lead some passengers to opt for public-transit options, such as trains, as a more reliable and stable means of transportation within Russia.
- Due to the drone attacks and the instability in the air transportation industry, finance experts might consider analyzing the impact on the automotive sector, as many people who cannot fly may decide to buy vehicles for personal travel instead, potentially boosting the demands for cars.
- As airline services struggle to stabilize schedules in the face of drone attacks, the finance department of public-transit industries might see an increase in revenues, including in the transportation of passengers via rail services, as more travelers choose trains to reach their destinations.
