Bashkortostan Shift Workers Outraged by Soaring Air Ticket Prices to the North

Shift workers from Ufa are outraged by the sharp increase in air ticket prices to the North. According to them, after the New Year holidays, flights to Novy Urengoy have become several times more expensive — on popular dates, ticket prices reach 70,000–80,000 rubles (approximately $700–$800 at current rates) one-way.

Even the cheapest options for mid-January start at around 50,000 rubles (about $500), and on certain days, the price approaches even 100,000 rubles (about $1,000). With such fares, the journey to the work site «eats up» a significant part of the salary. Instead of increasing the number of flights, airlines are raising prices, and the problem itself remains unresolved.

«Tell me, is this the homeland of shift workers or golden tickets?! ... A person goes to the North to earn money, but in the end, they work to pay for the journey to that very job. The worst part is, this is no accident. ... Instead of increasing the number of flights, they raise prices, and the problem is supposedly solved,» expressed a shift worker in one of Bashkortostan«s public forums.

The shift workers« dissatisfaction is also caused by how the problem is being solved, or rather, not solved. Instead of increasing the number of flights, prices continue to rise. Meanwhile, the situation with flights to northern destinations remains unchanged, despite the fact that for many residents of Bashkortostan, shift work is a common and often the only way to have a stable income. But is it worth it?

«There»s no need to ruin your health« — that»s what an experienced shift worker says about working in the North for young people. He honestly told about all the intricacies and difficulties of the job in our article.