Government reported not to be enthusiastic about reports of Sibir/Vnukovo merger (140 words)

Published: 1/16/2001

143 Sources within the Civil Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport indicate that no-one there is particularly enthusiastic about the reported merger between Sibir and struggling Vnukovo Airlines. Deputy Ministers, Alexander Nerdako and Pavel Roshkov, are reported as being opposed to any transfer of routes between the two parties. Given the close relations between the Ministers, Aeroflot and East Line, this is being interpreted as a concern among the major carriers, about a strong competitor combining two top-five airlines - one of which has a strong Moscow base. That said, a review of the Sibir network reveals that they have a larger number of Moscow flights than does Vnukovo. Sources within the ATC report that the Ministry of Transport has instructed controllers to be vigilant in ensuring that the correct carriers are operating the routes for which each specific licence has been issued.

Article ID: 2295