Aeroflot's successor to grounded low-cost subsidiary Dobrolet is to begin operations from Moscow Vnukovo airport next month.

The as-yet-unnamed entity has invited tenders for provision of baggage and ground handling services at the airport, says a local source.

"In a notice of purchase, it set the deadline for submitting bids on 5 November with a view to starting flights from Vnukovo on 17 November," he adds.

Previously, Aeroflot said the low-cost arm would operate from a designated terminal on the northern side of Sheremetyevo airport in October.

But Sheremetyevo's operator has assigned that terminal for demolition as part of reconstruction work due to begin next year.

Sources at Vnukovo indicate that spare slots appeared when major tenant UTair recently cut the volume of its services to and from its Moscow hub by around 16%.

Aeroflot has selected eight domestic destinations for its Dobrolet successor.

Dobrolet was forced to halt services after EU sanctions were imposed as a result of its Crimean operations.

Source: Cirium Dashboard