Rosaviatsiya checks serviceability of over 90% of foreign-made planes operated by Russia

MOSCOW. Dec 27 (Interfax) - The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) has examined and issued airworthiness certificates to over 90% of aircraft, formerly registered abroad and currently operated by Russia.

About 600 aircraft were due to be examined since September, it said.

"Some aircraft of Russian airlines are under maintenance or being repaired. Such aircraft will be checked for airworthiness later. Once they receive airworthiness certificates, airlines can operate them again," the agency said.

The number of aircraft with airworthiness certificates is sufficient for safe transportation consistent with flight programs, it said.

Most aircraft operated by Russian airlines are of a foreign make. These are U.S. Boeing and European Airbus planes in the first turn. Before the Western sanctions were imposed on Russia this year, practically all of them were leased from foreign companies and registered abroad, above all in Bermuda and Ireland. Aviation authorities of those countries also controlled the aircraft's serviceability.