newstodate.aero
Nov 11, 2013 (newstodate): Russian overflight charges on the trans-Siberian air lanes have consistently been on the agenda in talks between Russia and EU.
In 2006, the EU commission negotiated an agreement with Russia to freeze overflight charges from 2010 and fully abolishing them by 2013 through a gradual process.
Russia, however, never ratified the agreement.
Since then, the issue has been discussed at several meeting between Russia and the EU Commission, with the last meeting scheduled for November 14-15, 2013 - but reportedly postponed again.
Now, the Czech Republic has been in talks with Russia on the issue, and the proposal from the Russian side is to exchange waivering the over-flight charges for granting Russian carriers with 7th freedom rights - allowing them to operate between Czech airports and any other airports in the EU.
Estimates are that the collection of over the royalties by Aeroflot, on behalf of the Russian authorities, amounts to up to 500 mio dollars annually.
In 2006, the EU commission negotiated an agreement with Russia to freeze overflight charges from 2010 and fully abolishing them by 2013 through a gradual process.
Russia, however, never ratified the agreement.
Since then, the issue has been discussed at several meeting between Russia and the EU Commission, with the last meeting scheduled for November 14-15, 2013 - but reportedly postponed again.
Now, the Czech Republic has been in talks with Russia on the issue, and the proposal from the Russian side is to exchange waivering the over-flight charges for granting Russian carriers with 7th freedom rights - allowing them to operate between Czech airports and any other airports in the EU.
Estimates are that the collection of over the royalties by Aeroflot, on behalf of the Russian authorities, amounts to up to 500 mio dollars annually.