Aerosvit Facing Russia Ban

By The Moscow Times

Dec. 6, 2012

Ukrainian airline Aerosvit could be barred from operating in Russia due to unpaid debts for air-navigation and airport services.

Gazeta.ru reported Wednesday that the company had racked up debts of $1.2 million for air-navigation services across Russia as well as an additional 95 million rubles ($3.1 million) in airport fees at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport.

Aerosvit told Interfax on Thursday that it had settled the lion's share of its debts at a number of Russian airports, explaining the late payments by low seasonal demand.

The airline said it hoped to restructure its debts with Sheremetyevo after the airport released a statement Wednesday saying it would stop servicing the Ukrainian airline's fleet from Dec. 10 unless Aerosvit paid off its debts in full.

The Federal Air Transportation Agency warned Aerosvit about its unpaid debts as early as mid-November, news reports said.

(MT)

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