Transport Ministry sees no problems with aircraft purchase aid

MOSCOW, Jul 24 (PRIME) -- The Transport Ministry sees no problems with a subsidy from the National Wealth Fund to airlines for buy foreign aircraft that they are leasing and plans to finish the program until October, Deputy Transport Minister Igor Chalik said on Monday.

"No, we see no problems so far. The issues are in terms of management," Chalik said.

The official added that only Aeroflot had received the funds.

Business daily Kommersant reported that whereas at least five Russian airlines received permits to settle their liabilities to the Western owners of the aircraft that they lease, only Aeroflot received the funds, while the other air carriers might have no time and no money to buy the planes. The government subsidy was planned at 300 billion rubles, of which Aeroflot received about 33%.

(90.3846 rubles – U.S. $1)

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