The Russians have taken a liking to the DR. An increase in demand has led Russian airline Transaero to switch its Thursday and Sunday flights from a Boeing 767-300 with capacity for 230 passengers to a Boeing 747-400 with capacity for 352. The 9,259km flight from Moscow to Punta Cana takes about 11h25m and 10h40m from Punta Cana to Moscow. The fare is US$1,500 in economy, US$2,000 in business and US$3,500 in first class.
The 747-400 flew into Punta Cana International Airport for the first time on Sunday, 4 May. Ruslan Pirogov, Transaero representative in the DR, said that as of November, they have plans to increase to three or four flights a week, depending on demand. He said there is a possibility that flights will come from another Russian airport. At present, Transaero flies from Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport, but they could also add flights from the Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg and from hubs in Novosibirsk and Ekaterinburg. Transaero has been flying from Moscow to Punta Cana since 30 December 2003.
A total of 12,441 Russian tourists visited during the first three months of the year, up 37% compared to the same period in 2007, when 9,072 Russians visited.
Pirigox says that they expect around 40,000 tourists this year, and most of these are individuals with high purchasing power. He said that in addition to spending time at beach resorts, Russians like to tour cities and visit mountain areas. He said most Russians come with their families and spend two weeks, and are the tourists who book most excursions. The Dominican Tourist Office is located at C. Shaplernaya, 54, Of A12, St Petersburg 191015. To contact the office, e-mail director Galina Lyssenko at optdom-ru@mail.ru