Polar flights get the go ahead at RAKGAT-9 and could start next year

Published: 8/25/1999

On August 17th 1999, RAKGAT-9 (Russian American Coordination Group on ATC) began its conference in Yakutiya. ATC delegates included groups from USA, Canada, Mongolia and Korean People's Democratic Republic. The President of Yakutiya, Mikhail Nikolayev, took part in the opening of the conference. Nikolayev is Chairman of the international organisation, Severny Forum, which is promoting the development of Eastern Siberian and circumpolar air routes. The first circumpolar flight, in which 83 representatives from seven states took part, was made in 1994 under the aegis of the Severny Forum. Nikolayev welcomed the international interest being shown in the use of the Arctic region. He affirmed that the development of a system of transit cross-polar routes was within RAKGAT's capabilities. Its implementation will, however, require decisions on the creation of new boundaries of flight data regions meeting over the North Pole, and the provision of air navigation and flight control. He added that the airline should be given access to use the routes without discrimination, and that a reliable search and rescue service needs be provided. The Government of Yakutiya has fully endorsed the project. Nikolayev claimed that the favorable geographical location of the republic augurs well for the success of the US-Russian initiatives to connect the North American continent with south eastern Asia. The cross-polar routes via Yakutiya are the shortest. They help airlines expand their international routes network, and help Russian regions develop the aviation infrastructure. According to Nikolayex, the routes Polar-3 and Polar-4 are attractive owing to their advantageous configuration and efficiency. A RAKGAT decision to open regular flights on these routes would become a turning point of the multilateral cooperation at a higher level. The first demo flight from Detroit to Peking along Polar-3 occurred on August 10th, 1999. The Director General of Sakhaaerocontrol, M. Babushkin, noted that, while the first flight passed muster, a lot of work remains to be done. Babushkin said that he was confident that air operators would soon start using these routes. In September 1999, several US operators will make test flights to master the coordination of the Tiksi and Anchorage ATCs, to work out in detail flight safety and efficiency issues, particularly on communication between the two centres. Russia has pushed hard to establish the routes, which can cut journey times to Asia from Europe and the United States by several hours. Officials hope fees charged to foreign carriers could earn Russia more than $200m over the next 10 years. Viktor Galkin of the FSVT said the routes were opened after test flights had proven they could be used safely, particularly with regard to communications access over the Arctic Ocean. He said Russian and U.S. aviation officials were working on a schedule and other guidelines for using the routes.

Article ID: 779