Sberbank believes debt burden of Russian airlines to be acceptable - bank deputy head

MOSCOW. Sept 8 (Interfax) - The current debt burden of Russian airlines, despite the pressure of Western sanctions on the industry, is at an acceptable level, said Anatoly Popov, deputy chairman of the Sberbank management board.

"Not a single airline [over the last year] has appealed to us for restructuring of its obligations. The companies' debt burden is at an acceptable level," Popov said in an interview with Interfax.

The last year was difficult for the industry, but the state provided support, the deputy chairman said.

"Russian companies have learned to service foreign airplanes, there is some progress here. Probably the most important driver of sustainability is passenger traffic. It grew by 18% in June and by 25% in H1," he added.

Aeroflot , UTair and Ural Airlines have been Sberbank's clients among airlines at different times. In addition, the bank is a major creditor of Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports. According to Popov, these airports have also not approached Sberbank for restructuring in the last year and a half.