August is the busiest season for international air travel in the northern hemisphere, according to the International Air Transport Association, and the newterminal at Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, which opened in February 2014, is once again ready to meet the demand-such as it is. For years Russia's passenger numbers were steadily increasing-between 2010 and 2014, the country received eight million more visitors-but recent developments, including a slump in oil prices, a declining ruble, and international sanctions, are taking their toll. Fewer Russians are traveling abroad to popular getaway spots like Turkey and Cyprus, and due to political tensions, fewer Europeans-traditionally the largest contingent of tourists in Russia-are visiting. Global airlines, including Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and Germany's Lufthansa, have slashed the number and frequency of flights to Russia. Russian airlines are retiring old airplanes and deferring deliveries of new ones.
展开▼
