Support The Moscow Times!

Low-Coster Dobrolyot Advertisement Offends Railways

Aeroflot's newly minted low-cost carrier Dobrolyot has removed from its website a phrase in an advertisement after a Russian Railways subsidiary complained to the Federal Antimonopoly Service.

"Are you tired of long, uncomfortable trips on the train, and high prices for airline tickets? So are we." — the carrier's website asked, causing the Federal Passenger Company, or FPK, to complain to the regulator on Jan. 27, Itar-Tass reported Thursday.

Dobrolyot's press service declined to comment on the situation. The passenger train company said earlier the complaint was made at the request of the rail firm's chief executive and a vice president of state-owned Russian Railways.

"The posted information is a confirmation that the behavior of [Dobrolyot] is intended to gain commercial advantage by discrediting the activity of a competitor, in this case FPK, and violates the federal advertising law," the rail company said in a statement.

"Passenger air travel is a competitor to passenger railway travel. Depending on requirements for speed, availability and comfort levels, passengers chose the services of the corresponding type of transportation. In this sense, commenting on the length and lack of comfort of train trips directly affects the interests of FPK," the statement said.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more