Move could enable Russian government to maximise overflight revenues (150 words)

Published: 8/14/2001

Lockheed Martin Corporation, the major defence systems developer, has said that it is attempting to win a contract to set up four air traffic control (ATC) centres in northern Russia, to manage new routes through the country's polar airspace. Russia opened four polar routes for civil aviation in February, allowing airlines to cut flight times by two hours or more on services such as New York to Bangkok. However, the existing air navigation infrastructure does not allow any increase in the number of cross-polar flights, so preventing the Russian government from maximising overflight revenues collected from foreign airlines. The government is therefore developing a programme aimed at improving ATC management in the region. The full development of new routes requires considerable investment and the government has been in active discussions with the EBRD and other lenders over funding for a $130m ATC system to cover the region.

Article ID: 2709