Aircraft lease glitch leaves Russians stranded in Phuket
The Phuket News


Two Nordwind aircraft in their home base of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. Photo Sergey Kustov

PHUKET: -- Two flights from Nordwind airlines were grounded at 2 am on Sunday (December 14) over non-payment of aircraft leases, leaving Russian passengers stranded at Phuket International Airport for a day.

Flight number 2474 and 2490, which were scheduled to depart for Moscow, were cancelled after the two aircraft were impounded on the tarmac, accruing new airport fees while the airline cleared the financial problems.

Norwind was able to arrange two aircraft to come from Krabi 21 hours later and the stranded passengers were able to go home.

Nordwind, which is based in Moscow, was founded in 2008 by the Russian and Turkish branches of tour operator Pegas. It has a fleet of 54 aircraft, many of them leased, with which it operates both scheduled and charter flights.

The airline’s website lists Thailand as its top destination.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/aircraft-lease-glitch-leaves-russians-stranded-in-phuket-50124.php


-- Phuket News 2014-12-16

I wonder if those leases are in Ruble or in USD.

Will not be the last time this happens regarding the state of Russias economic woes..............and who,s to blame.Mr Putin

Unfortunate for the passengers. Some may have been on a budget without funds for an extra 21 hours, been due back to work, appointments, etc.

Glad they were finally able to get back.

The downfall of the Ruble.

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Unfortunate for the passengers. Some may have been on a budget without funds for an extra 21 hours, been due back to work, appointments, etc.

Usually when a flight is cancelled, my airport hotels are flooded with passengers seeking a room near to the airport.

In this instance, no Russians came to stay at short notice. I suspect your comment is correct - that the passengers were on a tight budget and no doubt just slept in the terminal building.

Glad that they finally made it back to Russia, probably devoured the in-flight food (if any!)

rootin tootin putting where da cash ?

I wonder if those leases are in Ruble or in USD.

Obviously Ruble, which has crashed...

I wonder if those leases are in Ruble or in USD.

Obviously Ruble, which has crashed...

Obviously not, rubel payments would be no problem.