Regular flights to start February 1st (400 words)

Published: 1/22/2001

Russia's Ministry of Transport announced the official opening of the cross-polar routes, via Russian territory, for regular flights on 1 February 2001. The decision to go ahead was made on the 31st of December, upon successful completion of a demo flights programme during which, 479 demo flights were performed by Russian and foreign airlines. The most potentially popular routes being those linking Southeast Asia with the US (via China and Russia), saving up to 4 hours on a New York - Singapore trip.

Demo flights started on the 3rd July 1998, with a Transaero DC-10 flight from Krasnoyarsk to Toronto. Agreements were then reached between Russia, China, Canada and those countries flown over by the new routes. Russia's Ministry of Transport, Boeing and other western airlines have assessed the condition of airfields suitable for emergency landings on the routes, which has been accompanied by the staff of Russian ATC centres learning English.

The ministry is considering further improvement and development of the cross-polar route system through opening of additional corridors to commercial operators. Also under consideration, are programmes for the improvement of the regional ATC system and creating an environment attractive for investors to fund ATC centres in Siberia and Extreme North regions.

Alexander Neradko of the GSGA claims that Russian airlines might benefit from opening cross-polar routes. "Using airports in Northern Russia, for refueling and re-loading, the Russian airlines can become more competitive on the international market - in cargo carrying operations from North America to China and countries in Southeast Asia". The question remains as to which airlines Neradko was referring when saying this; especially in view of the shortage of suitable long-range freighter aircraft in the Russian inventory. To develop the cargo market between China and the US, the airlines need modern internationally compliant long-range cargo aircraft, such as the Il-96T and Il-76TF neither of which is readily available in numbers, compliant to US regulations on noise, emission and navigational equipment.

Alexander Neradko of the GSGA

Russian specialists say that the major problem for the development of the routes remains the Chinese aviation authorities. They require application for over-flight to be submitted well in advance effectively closes these routes for business aviation in particular. It also creates problems for scheduled airlines, because their aircraft cannot divert from one air corridor to another to make use of the winds prevailing at the time of flight.

Article ID: 2305