FSVT opens testing of polar routes to all IATA carriers

Published: 12/23/1999

Vladimir Andreyev of the FSVT has announced that as of January 1st 2000, the agency is beginning a new programme of demonstration flights on the four polar routes over Russian territory. Unlike the previous programme of test flights, the opportunity to fly the routes will be open to any operator who is a member of IATA and whose state is a member of ICAO. This opening up of the routes according to Andreyev, will add to the operating experience gained with the 40 flights to date flown by a number of carriers including Krasair and Transaero and allow better assessment of the conditions of the routes. The potential revenue to be derived from cross-polar routes is the source of some debate, with IATA estimating a potential revenue of $75m, while Boeing are more cautiously estimating $25m by 2005. What is clear, is that the time savings could potentially be as much as an hour to destinations in South East Asia .The route is therefore of considerable interest to airlines covering the region. For some of those operators however, there have been the expressions of concern about the level and readiness of ATC in the region and the ability of the authorities to provide emergency services in the event of an accident. Concerns that to date have not really been addressed by the aviation authorities, who although eager to encourage the traffic, may not have access to the resources to upgrade the systems and infrastructure. Associated articles www.concise.org 4th February 1999, 9th April 1999, 26th May 1999, 25th August 1999

Article ID: 1240