Russian Civil Aviation Toughens Flight Safety Standards

The Russian civil aviation will spectacularly raise flight safety standards within the year with a federal bill, whose drafting has just started, Alexander Neradko, First Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Service chief, said to the media. Proceeding from aviation practice of Russia and other countries, the bill will give a legal status to tests and examinations for pilot and airport and airline staff applicants. Passenger checks will be toughened--a hard task with badly outdated passenger and luggage control equipment in Russian airports. Only big and prosperous companies can afford expensive control electronics, so the smaller airlines, possessing one plane to three each, will have to unite--or they will not meet the new standards, said Mr. Neradko. The task demands security personnel strongly reinforced on another expensive effort, added the vice-minister as he strongly warned against passenger fares and cargo tariffs increased for the purpose.