OREANDA-NEWS. December 09, 2011. In view of the situation developed in the Pre- New Year period on the markets of passenger air transportation between the Russian Federation and Italy when the Federal Air Transport Agency withdrew the permit for charter flights on Moscow – Milano, Moscow – Rome, and Moscow – Venice routes issued to Transaero Airlines, as well as upon receiving numerous petitions from the general public, FAS has sent an enquiry to Rosaviatisa, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

Cutting down on the number of air carriers on a particular route restricts competition and, as the practice shows, increases the air fares.

According to the available information, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation finds it necessary to make changes to the existing procedures for operating international air lines; in particular, at least two carriers must be appointed to operate individual routes. FAS supports this initiative.

Earlier the Council of the Heads of Governments of the CIS member-states approved the recommendations (Chisinau, Moldova, 14th November 2008) drafted by the Headquarters for Joint Investigations, at the CIS Interstate Council for Antimonopoly Policy, for amending intergovernmental agreements on air transportation, aimed, in particular, to increase the number of assigned carriers.

To execute the decision, the Ministries of Transport of the CIS member-states jointly with CIS antimonopoly bodies have drafted a standard (model) agreement on air transportation, that provides for approving flow volumes and the air fares between appointed air carriers, removing restrictions for a number of air carriers appointed to operate international air lines specified in the contract, preventing discriminatory ir fares or practices, etc.

FAS Russia considers that such changes must also be included in bilateral agreements with other foreign countries.