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Foreign airlines stop operating in Russia due to the financial crisis, according to Lenta.ru.

The source reports that airlines such as Cathay Pacific of Hong Kong, Thai Airways of Tailand, as well as France’s Aigle Azur and Austrian Niki have stopped operating flights to Russia, while Delta Air Lines (US) plans to do so from December 1.

Many companies, while not declining to operate in the Russian market, reduce the number of their flights or opt to use smaller aircraft.
German Lufthansa and its subsidiary Gemanwings have adopted such a policy, with the Easyjet from the UK, Czech Airlines, Finnair of Finland, and Israeli El Al following suit.

The reason is the weakened Russian economy and the resulting decline in the purchasing power of citizens, the article’s author says. Under such conditions fewer Russian citizens travel abroad, while geopolitical tension and a decline in business activity also have had their impact.

Total traffic volumes of Russian airlines have fallen by 18% compared with last year, Rosaviation said.