MOSCOW, August 04./ITAR-TASS/. The Russian Association of Air Transport Operators on Monday asked the government to take urgent measures to support the Dobrolet low-cost air carrier that has had to stop operation due to Western sanctions.

“The Association is asking the government of the Russian Federation and civil aviation authorities to take urgent measures to exclude discriminatory treatment by foreign entities of Russian civil aviation operators and to ensure compliance with the obligations assumed under international agreements,” the document said.

Dobrolet suspended operation on August 4 following EU economic sanctions and the subsequent refusal by several European partners to fufill their contractual obligations to provide leasing, maintenance, insurance, and navigation services.

The European Union imposed sanctions against Dobrolet for making flights to Crimea. Twenty-five companies, including such major Russian ones as Aeroflot, Transaero and S7, make 110-120 flights daily to the Crimean capital of Simferopol.