Cross-polar routes establish greater support structure (149 words)

Published: 3/15/2001

Following a number of visits by US airlines to airports in Siberia, representatives of Continental Airlines have visited OAO Krasair, in Krasnoyarsk, as part of a programme to establish Krasnoyarsk Airport's suitability as an alternative airport for cross-polar flights, on the routes Polar 1 and Polar 2 from the U.S. to South-Eastern Asia. The airline is one of four US carriers in the process of firming or declaring interest (including United and Northwest) in using the four polar routes, following the end of the trial period active since August of 1998 - with over 450 flights made by a number of carriers. According to the civil aviation department, the GSGA, the interest is not only coming from the US, but also carriers from Japan and China, not forgetting the Russian carrier, Krasair, which has announced Il-76TD flights later this month.

Article ID: 2420