newstodate.aero
Apr 13, 2007 (newstodate): Not just Russia's airports. but also the airlines are being throughly scrutinised for adherence to flight and aviation safety.
Lately the Russian carrier Sakhalinskie Aviatrassy Airlines, SAT, is being investigated after 12 reported incidents in 2005, nine in 2006, and two so far in 2007.
Authorities blame the many incidents on SAT's obsolete fleet of aircraft that may face grounding.
SAT, however, also operates western aircraft including Boeing 737, and serves the region with essential routes to less-accessible small communities.
According to sources, Russia now has 170 airlines, but 80 percent of the traffic is provided by only 25 of these.
In most cases, the many small airlines cannnot afford to renew their obsolete aircraft, and may face withdrawal of license.
Lately the Russian carrier Sakhalinskie Aviatrassy Airlines, SAT, is being investigated after 12 reported incidents in 2005, nine in 2006, and two so far in 2007.
Authorities blame the many incidents on SAT's obsolete fleet of aircraft that may face grounding.
SAT, however, also operates western aircraft including Boeing 737, and serves the region with essential routes to less-accessible small communities.
According to sources, Russia now has 170 airlines, but 80 percent of the traffic is provided by only 25 of these.
In most cases, the many small airlines cannnot afford to renew their obsolete aircraft, and may face withdrawal of license.