The Hindu Business Line : India, Russia avoid `air collision'

Long route
Closure of the Russian airspace would add up to an hour to the flying time between India and the UK.
The fuel bill for an airline would go up by around $6,000.

New Delhi May 15 A civil aviation row between India and Russia was narrowly averted late tonight with the Russian side allowing Indian carriers to continue over-flight till June 15.

India too, has now allowed Russian airlines to fly to the country till the middle of next month, relenting from the earlier position of banning Russian flights to India from midnight tonight.

"The Russian side was creating problems for over-flights for Air India and Jet Airways. Our communications to them seeking talks remained unanswered. It was only today that we got a communication saying they would release Indian flights till June 15, which means that Air India and Jet Airways would continue to be allowed to over fly Russia," a senior Government official said.

At present, the Russian national airline Aeroflot operates regular flights to Delhi and Mumbai, Transaero airline operates flights to Goa and Amritsar.

The implementation of the ban by the Russians would not only increase the flying time between India and western Europe, especially the UK, but also add to the airlines' flying costs. At present, Air India and Jet Airways operate to the European sector using Russian air space.

"The closure of the Russian airspace would add up to an hour to the flying time between India and the UK. Also, an airline fuel burn bill would go up by around $6,000, which would substantially impact Air India as it has 25 weekly flights that over fly Russian airspace," official sources said.

Industry analysts pointed out that the Russian side was probably trying to leverage more concessions for itself at forthcoming air services bilateral talks.

"The Russians periodically use a number of arguments like cost of training air traffic controllers and close their airspace to some international airlines. However, in most cases, the problem is sorted out amicably between the two sides," sources said.

A similar problem with Malaysia that was not allowing Air India Express and Air Sahara to operate flights to that country was also sorted out amicably official sources said. At present, Air India, Indian and Jet Airways operate regular flights to Kuala Lumpur, while Malaysian Airlines operates flights to several cities here, including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

More Stories on : Airlines | Foreign Relations | Trends

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Cyclone Akash passes; buzz shifts to Arabian Sea

India, Russia avoid `air collision'

Rural housing turns best bet for cement

Mangoes cannot be `gifted' to the US

Reliance reports gas find in two blocks

Suzlon's global biz fuels 21.5% rise in Q4 net

TVS Motor gearing up to take on Japanese biggies

IT sector downplays queries

Private dairies may overtake cooperatives by 2011

Rupee effect: Coffee exporters stop signing new orders

Customers wail as banks hike EMIs on home loans

HDFC parts ways with Chubb

Central Bank of India's IPO in June

Manufacturers upset over retail discounts