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RUSSIAN AIRLINES GET SAFER

Although the local airline industry is still hampered by Russia's current economic situation, progress has been made in some segments of the industry, among them flight safety for scheduled flights.

In 1998 Russia's Aviation Industry did not thrive because of the country's economic crisis. As Gennady Zaitsev, Director of the Federal Aviation Service of the Russian Federation, the FAS RF, announced, the industry suffered reductions in passenger numbers and in freight contracts. In 1998 the 299 airlines, which are registered in Russia, transported 22.4 million passengers, (ten per cent less than on 1997), and 460,000 tons of goods, (23 per cent less). The industry made further losses with a deficit of Rubel 1.6 billion. According to Zaitsev growing debts, which government institutions had with commercial airlines, contributed to this downward trend.

Despite an inflation rate of 87.7 per cent between August '97 and January '98, the FAS RF still managed to keep the increase in ticket prices and airport fees as low as possible.

However, numerous airports had to be closed due to economic difficulties. In 1993 there were 575 airports in operation. This number decreased to 245 in 1999. Last year, 13 airports were shut down.

On the plus side Russian airlines were able to improve flight safety considerably. In 1998 no crashes on Russian airlines were reported. However, nine accidents at charter flights caused the death of 37 people. The age of the fleet is still one of the most pressing problems in Russian civil aviation. The government is now supporting an aircraft leasing system, which will help more carriers to renew their stock.

From page 31 of FLUG REVUE 4/99