Transaero needs to recertify to get new license - air transport chief
MOSCOW. Oct 29 (Interfax) - Russian airline Transaero , which had its operating license annulled on October 26, cannot expect to have its certificate reinstated, but can go through the certification process again, the Federal Air Transport Agency, citing agency head Alexander Neradko, said in a statement.
The agency said annulled operating certificates are not reinstated. The certification process takes at least 70 days, and in order to go through it the airline must submit documents showing that it can maintain operations for three months without revenues.
"For an airline that is burdened by credit and debt obligations in an amount exceeding 250 billion rubles, for an airline that is being refused aircraft services in more than 40 Russian airports, as well as many foreign airports, refused fuel and lubricants, this is an insurmountable challenge, in our view," Neradko was quoted as saying.
He said that, in the current situation, the best solution for Transaero employees would be to go work for other airlines, particularly Aeroflot Russian Airlines , which has already begun the process of hiring Transaero employees.
"This process has already been begun and it is irreversible," Neradko said.
Transaero's operating certificate was annulled on October 26 due to the "deterioration of key operating indicators and the financial and economic condition of the business, which affect the safety of flights and rights of consumers."