US carrier says strict implementation of noise regulations may lead to Russian retaliation on polar routes

Published: 12/7/1999

The introduction of US Stage 3 noise abatement regulations, which come into effect on January 1st 2000, will result in Aeroflot"s Il-62s being barred from continuing its flight to Anchorage from the Russian Far East onto Seattle. A special exemption allows the use of noisier non-Stage 3 compliant aircraft in Alaska. According to Dick Reeve, Head of Reeve Aleutian Airways, this could prompt retaliation by Russia in the form of barring US carriers, such as United Airlines and NorthWest Airlines, from using experimental Polar routes to Asia. Aeroflot contends that it cannot operate economically to Anchorage unless its flights continue on to Seattle, where the Stage 3 rule will be in effect. However, FAA officials in Anchorage consider that, while retaliation is possible, restrictions on the Polar routes are unlikely given the dollar revenues accrued by Russia in overflight charges. Last month, Tupolev and Aviakor announced the introduction of hushkits for the Tu-154 fleet, in order to meet ICAO standards, at a cost of $1m per aircraft.

Article ID: 1181