OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2009. “We acknowledge the decision of the Czech government, which has the legitimate right to select its preferred business partners, not to progress with Aeroflot into the second round of the CSA privatization tender, reported the press-centre of Aeroflot.

Aeroflot’s decision to participate in the tender and the intention of the bid was solely driven by commercial considerations.

Following a thorough examination of CSA’s financial and operational situation, Aeroflot detected considerable risks in the bid, which would have entailed serious financial obligations at a time of a global financial crisis. Thus, the decision of the Czech government objectively corresponds with the interests of Aeroflot's management.

There have been recent statements made by Czech politicians that associated Aeroflot with “a security threat to the Czech Republic” and with a lack of high standards of flight safety. We feel that it would be inappropriate if the Czech government were to have based their decision on politically biased assessments.

In the interest of both CSA and Aeroflot passengers, we firmly intend to continue our active cooperation with CSA in the framework of existing commercial agreements.”