Aeroflot is using the weaker rouble to undercut foreign competitors and boost passenger numbers on its transfer routes between Europe and Asia in a bid to compensate for plunging domestic traffic. Enticing foreign travellers to use Moscow as a springboard for long-haul flights is a rare opportunity for Aeroflot and other Russian carriers to pick up passenger numbers, after being broadsided at home by Russia's economic crisis. Advertisements have sprung up at airports across Europe touting Aeroflot flights via Moscow to countries including Thailand, China and Japan, and the Russian state-carrier's transfer traffic has surged. The selling point is price: Aeroflot's costs have fallen along with the rouble, which lost almost 20% against the dollar last year, meaning it can now offer cheaper tickets than many of its rivals who operate in foreign currencies. "Strategically it is a very good idea," said BCS analyst Mitch Mitchell. "Aeroflot can offer very competitive fares because most of its costs are in roubles." An Aeroflot ticket in June from London to Beijing, connecting Europe's busiest airport with Asia's, now starts from $510 with a few hours of layover in Moscow. Flights on the same route operated by a single carrier via Istanbul or Dubai cost around $600, and German flagship airline Lufthansa charges more than $1000.<br/>