Russia has pledged to adopt Inter-national Civil Aviation Organisation Chapter 3 noise legislation but is unspecific about timing due to concerns about airline financing.
Speaking at the opening of the Avia 2002 exhibition in Moscow last week, Alexander Nerdako, deputy minister of transport and general director of the Russian aviation authority, the GSGA, said that Russia intends to implement the legislation "in due course". But it is unrealistic in the near future, he added, as few airlines have the financial resources for it.
"Finance remains a problem, and it is not a simple one to resolve," he said. He cited the work being done by two unnamed airlines to re-engine the Ilyushin Il-76 freighter, which he said would cost about $12 million an aircraft.
One of the airlines involved is known to be Volga Dnepr, and the other is thought to be East Line, which has ordered two of the new Aviadvigatel PS-90-powered Il-76TF variant. Nerdako also said that Atlant-Soyuz is working with Ilyushin Finance to arrange funding for 10 PS-90-powered Ilyushin Il-96-400s.
Russian traffic has grown by 8-10% in the first four months of this year, said Nerdako. Despite the ban of many Russian aircraft from European skies due to the implementation of Chapter 3 last month, May traffic looks set to be up some 15%.
Source: Flight International
