28 Sep 2017 18:02

Medvedev signs instruction allocating 98 mln rubles from budget to service VIM Airlines planes

MOSCOW. Sept 28 (Interfax) - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed an instruction allocating 98 million rubles from the government's reserve fund to service VIM Airlines planes, the government press service reported on Thursday.

Materials said that under instruction N2067-p on September 28, 2017 the funds will be issued to Rosaviatsia "to regulate the situation occurring due to VIM Airlines' failure to fulfill its obligations to transport passengers." The issued funds will be allocated to pay for jet fuel, airport services and ground support for VIM Airlines planes.

"To date, the total debt of the airline for operations, jet fuel, airport and ground services are around 1.3 billion rubles. Due to the developing debts for ground support, maintenance, fuel, in-flight meals and air navigation services, airports are refusing to service the airline's planes, which is obstructing the transportation of passengers," the materials said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said that "the main task at the moment is to guarantee that people return home." "This is one solution, to resolve this problem. The issuing of funds will secure payment for fuel deliveries and airport and ground services for flights," he was cited as saying by the government press service.