Russian airlines request permission to use Ilyusin 62 aircraft during World Cup

Airline Industry Information, April 8, 2002

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

During the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals between 31 May and 30 June Russian airlines are hoping to use Ilyusin 62 aircraft to transport football fans to Japan.

Two Russian airlines currently serve Japan. Aeroflot flies between Moscow and Tokyo and Vladivostok Air offers services between Vladivostok and Irkutsk in Russia's Far East and the Japanese cities of Niigata and Toyama. The airlines operate these services with Airbus aircraft and revamped Russian aircraft that comply with the noise regulations for passenger aircraft. However the airlines have requested to operate additional charter flights to Japan with the Ilyusin 62 aircraft during the World Cup.

Japan has refused to allow the airlines to use the old Ilyusin model, which does not comply with the new international regulation on aircraft noise, but Aeroflot is hoping for an exemption given the special event. The exemption request is expected to be made at a meeting in Tokyo on 22 April, reported Kyodo News.

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