KHL asks Russian transport authorities to allow foreign airline flights in Russia

The Kontinental Hockey League has appealed to the Russian Ministry of Transport, asking the authority to allow two airlines – Holidays Czech Airlines and Air Baltic – to transport its members’ teams within Russia. Appropriate documents have been submitted for approval to the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, according to Vedomosti.

Holidays Czech Airlines and Air Baltic have already been providing services for two non-Russian KHL teams – Slovakia’s Lev Poprad and Latvia’s Dinamo Riga, respectively. According to a representative of Air Baltic, the company already has verbal assurances from the Russian authorities that it would obtain the approval for domestic flights and maybe the right to transport Russian-based teams. Holiday Czech Airlines declined to comment.

KHL has been looking for a suitable candidate to act as the league’s sole official carrier since the September crash of the Yak-42 with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on board. Aeroflot have already expressed their eagerness to become such a provider. As of now, each team chooses its own carrier.