THE Ireland manager of Aeroflot, Mr Boris Krivchenko, said yesterday that the good image the company has established in Ireland could be damaged by misinformation concerning the transport of children from Chernobyl to Ireland at the weekend.
Mr Krivchenko told The Irish Times: "I am disgusted and distressed at the way public opinion might be manipulated by wrong information suggesting that rich holiday makers were given seats allocated to the children."
It had been claimed by the organisers of the Chernobyl Children's Project that "children aged from 8 to 14 years were refused seats on the Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Shannon" and that "their seats were instead given to adults flying to the USA".
Mr Krivchenko said that last February a request was made for 132 seats to be allocated. The company said they were able to block off 102 seats from public sale, and these were allocated to the children at $250 each.
He said that a few days in advance of the departure date the organisers were informed that Aeroflot could only accommodate 102 persons. Others could only be accepted on a "standby" basis.
Instead, he said, the organisers elected to deliver 132 children to Moscow airport. As there were 15 "no shows" on Friday 117 children were accommodated. The other 15 were given overnight accommodation and flown to Shannon on Saturday. Mr Krivchenko said the company had so fare received no money for the fares.
It was learned last evening that what the Russians have been describing as "an anti Russian and anti Aeroflot attitude" may result in Aeroflot officials in Moscow reconsidering future participation in the programme.
Ms Helen Faughnan of the Chernobyl Children's Project said last night there was no question of a reluctance to pay for the fares. They had offered payment to Aeroflot on a number of occasions but had been told "that was not the problem".
They had been assured early last week that there would be seats for 207 children. On Tuesday they were informed Aeroflot could not fly the 207 but that they would split the group and fly 132 into Shannon on Friday and 75 on Sunday, leaving 30 without seats. This was after the children had been told they could travel to Moscow to take their flight.
Ms Faughnan said the last minute changes caused extreme distress to the children and the organisers at this end.