China bans Russian charter cargo flights

China has banned charter flights of Russian cargo planes at least untilSeptember, Vladimir Rudakov, head of the state supervisory agency on flightsecurity, announced at a press conference today. He explained that thisdecision had been made by Chinese officials due to the improper level ofcharter flight security. According to Rudakov, Russian and Chinese aviationauthorities had agreed about a new certification of Chinese airports, thenecessity to reach new contracts with Russian airline companies andseparate responsibility between airlines and airports.In addition, the Russian state civil aviation agency will make a decisionon an increase in the minimal number of cargo planes for companies to makecharter flights to China. The number is expected to be increased from fourto ten cargo planes. According to Russian officials, this will reduce thenumber of airlines providing cargo flights to China and, consequently,improve security. However, China will allow charter cargo flights fromRussia only after all requirements are met, both by airlines and airports,Rudakov concluded..