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Russia to propose to lift all limitations on number of flights between Russia and Belarus

The press service confirmed that the flights between the two countries have been resumed

MOSCOW, March 26 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia will propose to lift all limitations concerning air service between Russia and Belarus, the press service of the Russian ministry of transport said on Monday.

The press service confirmed that the flights between the two countries have been resumed. “Negotiations between air transport authorities of the two countries will be held on Thursday. Russia’s position will be as follows: all limitations on flights between the two countries are to be lifted both in terms of authorized air carriers and in terms of the number and geography of flights,” the press service stressed.

Among Russian companies making flights to Belarus are Aeroflot – Russian Airlines, Sibir (S7 Airlines), and UTair.

According to earlier reports, air service between Russia and Belarus was suspended for several hours on Monday after Russia’s air transport authorities notified the Belarusian airlines Belavia about revocation of its permit to make flights to Moscow. In response, Belarus banned all Russian air companies to make flight to Minsk.

A source in the Belarusian Ministry of Transport blamed the Russian side for the suspension in air service. This way, it said, Russia seeks to win commercial advantage for its air companies through obtaining a permit for a bigger number of flights to Minsk.

Moscow sources also confirmed that the dispute was rooted in the number of flights between the two countries. Thus, they claim, Belarus’ air transport authorities refused to issue a permit to Russia’s Aeroflot to perform a third daily flight to Belarus.

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