Ryanair, Europe's biggest low-cost airline, has put on hold its plans to launch a route from Dublin to St. Petersburg due to decreasing international traffic.

      According to the Pulkovo Airport management company, the new route will not be opened this year, Ryanair confirmed in a letter.

      Ryanair was granted permission last year by Russia's federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsia, to operate the routes as of March this year.

      “The Russian market could be a significant one for Ryanair. If it succeeds in buying Cyprus Airways, it would target Russia. Mr O'Leary has also said that if Ryanair launches services to Israel, Russia would be one of the markets it could serve from there,” writes John Mulligan from the Irish Independent.