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News
Strategic Partnership Agreement with
Russia
-Talks with
President Medvedev-
Moscow - The International Air Transport Association
(IATA) formalized a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Transport
of the Russian Federation with the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU). IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni
Bisignani also met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to discuss
areas of cooperation between IATA and the Russian Federation.
The MoU outlines specific areas of cooperation with a focus
on safety, security, technology, airport infrastructure, air navigation,
ground handling and training.
“IATA’s global standards can contribute significantly to
the development of safe, efficient and environmentally responsible
aviation in Russia. Our MoU gives us a strong framework to contribute to
building an even more competitive Russian air transport sector. I was
particularly encouraged by President Medvedev who noted that cooperation
between the Russian Federation and IATA was a priority,” said Bisignani.
Specific points addressed in Bisignani’s dialogue with
President Medvedev included:
- Improving
safety:
Bisignani complimented the President on progress being made to
address significant safety challenges. “After some difficult years, Russia
has maintained a perfect safety record in 2009. The IATA Operational
Safety Audit (IOSA) is already delivering significant benefit by
improving safety. I look forward to exploring ways to expand the use
of all IATA’s auditing programs in Russia,” said Bisignani.
- Simplifying
the Business: IATA’s Simplifying the Business program aims
to improve service levels and reduce costs. “Aeroflot has led the
implementation of new technologies for passenger handling in Russia
for their international operations. I offered the President IATA’s
expertise to help with the implementation of the various Simplifying
the Business programs in the domestic market,” said Bisignani.
- IATA
e-freight: the
processing of goods for export in Russia takes an average of 36 days
according to the World Bank. “IATA’s e-freight program can help
reduce that closer to the global average of 11 days, but Russia must
first ratify the Montreal Convention of 1999 that recognizes
electronic invoicing,” said Bisignani.
- Infrastructure
charges: Russia has an international obligation to
ensure non-discrimination for infrastructure charges. “I urged the
President to equalize charges among Russian and foreign carriers,”
said Bisignani.
- Bilateral
arrangements: Bisignani urged the President to look for
opportunities in bilateral air service negotiations with Europe and
other countries to eliminate nationality clauses and enable both
Russian and non-Russian carriers to engage in cross-border mergers
and acquisitions.
- Environment: Bisignani
thanked the Russian Federation for its support of a global sectoral
approach to manage aviation emission under the auspices of ICAO. “It
is important that the Russian Federation continues its strong
support of a global sectoral approach for aviation at the COP-15 meeting
in Copenhagen next month,” said Bisignani.
“I congratulate the Ministry of Transportation of the
Russian Federation on their 200th anniversary. Russia is a rapidly
developing its aviation market. Our agreement and today’s meeting open
the door to even broader cooperation between Russia and IATA. IATA brings
global standards and expertise that will help ensure that Russian
aviation continues to develop and improve its competitiveness,” said
Bisignani.
-IATA-
Contact:
Anthony Concil
Director Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
Notes for Editors:
- IATA
(International Air Transport Association) represents some 230
airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.
- On 16 April
2009 IATA signed a similar cooperation with the Interstate Aviation
Committee (IAC, also known by its Russian abbreviation which is MAK)
to improve aviation safety throughout the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS). See this
agreeement.
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