OREANDA-NEWS. The VEGAS LEX law firm is working on a strategy to develop international airport hubs based on regional airports in Russia.

Last month the VEGAS LEX law firm won a tender for a government research project to work out a development strategy for international airport hubs based on regional airports in Russia.

This major research project includes the study of Russian and foreign regulation of transit air services, of economic and geographical prerequisites for building airport hubs in Russia, and the development potential of the existing regional airports.

VEGAS LEX experts will also explore the possibility of liberalizing the rules and regulations with regard to specific airports and countries (the so-called Open Skies* is an international policy concept and the Fifth Freedom of the Air**) and consider creating a polling system for trans-Siberian flights.

It is important to note that Russia's current priorities in the national aviation development are shifting toward regional airports. The strategy that VEGAS LEX and Lufthansa Consulting have agreed to work out is expected to lay the foundation for longterm development of airport hubs in Russia and help attain the country's vast transit potential. The strategy is subject to approval by the Russian Government and will underlie the development of the country's major regional airports in 2025-2030.

The project is being implemented by VEGAS LEX's Aviation and Airport Development Group led by Karen Arakelyan.