The Transportation Ministry developed and the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service approved new criteria for airlines seeking a license to operate international routes.
A commission will assess applicants according to three groups of criteria, and punctual airlines with newer aircraft will have the main advantage in receiving licenses, Vedomosti reported Monday.
The first set of criteria requires applicants to have minimum flight delays and demonstrate high safety standards. The applicant also must possess IATA and IOSA international certificates and fly regularly.
According to the second set of criteria, priority will be given to airlines not affiliated with a carrier that flies the same route. Fleets must include modern aircraft, and carriers must offer high-quality service, including convenient connecting flights and comfortable destination airports.
The third set of criteria assesses whether applicants operate Russian-made planes, such as the Tu-204/214, SSJ-100 and AH-148.
"The documents are in the final stages [of approval]," a source close to the ministry told Vedomosti.
A ministry representative declined to comment on the matter.
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