The sharp escalation of the military conflict in the Middle East has caused an unprecedented jump in prices for private jet travel from the crisis-torn region, RBK reports.
The price of a seat on a charter flight from Muscat to Moscow has reached an astronomical 20,000 euros, according to business jet booking systems.
The situation is particularly aggravated by the fact that the evacuation flight is being carried out on a Tu-204 aircraft with the registration number RA-64053, which belongs to the Cosmonaut Training Center (CTC), part of Roscosmos. Amid the mass cancellation of regular flights by Oman Air and the closure of airports in neighboring countries, this aircraft remains one of the few options for leaving the potential war zone, although passengers have to pay a price dozens of times higher than the standard fares for a “ticket home“.
The Cosmonaut Training Center itself was quick to distance itself from the pricing, explaining that the aircraft is used for commercial purposes only when it is not in training mode. According to representatives of the Cosmonaut Training Center, the aircraft is leased at a fixed market price to cover maintenance costs, while the final ticket price for end users is determined by private brokers.
The configuration of the “space” aircraft allows it to carry up to 94 passengers, which at current prices could generate revenue for flight organizers of almost 1.9 million euros per flight. While diplomats debate the legitimacy of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, commercial structures are quick to take advantage of the panic, taking advantage of the fact that Omani airspace remains open despite the risk of imposing restrictions at any moment.
The situation is complicated by the transport collapse throughout the Middle East: the authorities of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar have already closed their airspace, forcing international airlines to urgently change their routes. Yesterday, Rosaviatsia confirmed the temporary suspension of operations at Muscat airport, making rare charter flights practically unavailable. Customers of booking services note that under normal circumstances, chartering an entire plane would cost between $ 150,000 and $ 200,000. However, the lack of options and the fear of being stuck in a conflict zone are forcing people to agree to any conditions. Despite the high price, available seats on board disappear within hours, and operators only warn of normal departures until the potential complete closure of borders.
Roscosmos emphasizes that in the event of a direct request from the government, the Cosmonaut Training Center is ready to immediately provide a plane for official use, but for now the plane operates on a free charter basis. This means that the rescue of citizens from turbulent areas has been practically handed over to private intermediaries, whose appetites grow in proportion to the number of missile salvos in the region. For many Russians stranded in Oman, the choice has become clear: either wait for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in bomb shelters, or pay the price of a brand new car for a few hours of flight in a place usually reserved for star-studded people.