EU plans to ban noisy aircraft; move harms Russian carriers

Airline Industry Information, Feb 4, 2002

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

The European Union is planning to close its skies to noisy aircraft.

Beginning in April 2002, the EU will bar flights by Soviet-built Tu-134s, Il-62s, Il-86s and some versions of the Tu-154. This decision will reportedly severely affect Russian air carriers, which widely use such aircraft on both regular and charter routes.

According to Russian media reports, Russian carriers have long been aware of the EU's plan, however they lack funds to bring their aircraft into compliance with the new noise requirements - such upgrades would require spending several million dollars on each aircraft. Russia could allegedly lose around 6,500 flights to Europe per year, reported The Associated Press.

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