Aeroflot to be official carrier for Beijing Olympics

Moscow, Mar 29 (UNI) China has recognised Russia's Aeroflot as the official air carrier for the 2008 Olympics scheduled in August.

The Beijing office of airline on Thursday received the Certificate No 3 from Chinese authorities confirming that Aeroflot was among the first of all foreign companies to become an official Olympic carrier, official representative of Aeroflot in China, Sergei Bugrov, told Interfax news agency.

Mr Burgov said the document grants to Aeroflot the number of flights and slots, for which it applied.

He added Aeroflot would be making 14 flights a week, two flights each day, this summer instead of the usual 10 flights.

China promptly solved all issues related to obtaining the required permits and executing documents,'' Mr Burgov said, adding Aeroflot was willing to carry not only the guests of Olympics but also sport teams and official delegations.

During the Olympic days, it would additionally secure five flights for Moscow-Beijing-Moscow route and this extension had been agreed with China.

''We are well aware that getting tickets will be very difficult in the days of Olympics, so we recommend to all those willing to get to China's capital for Olympic events to book the tickets in advance,'' he said.

UNI XC SYU VC1900