The Russian government recently presented a series of proposals to help beleaguered airlines, including a suggestion from Transportation Minister Igor Levitin that tariffs on foreign aircraft leased by Russian carriers be abolished if additional domestic aircraft are leased as well, Prime-Tass reported. The ministry did decide to cancel import tariff s on certain components and equipment for a nine-month period beginning in December. Other tax and customs related initiatives, including state loans for fuel purchases, reportedly are under consideration.

Last week aviation authorities grounded nine airlines because of unpaid bills. They are Omskavia, Interavia, Dalavia, Tesis, Vyborg, Aeroshchit, Irkutsk Bezbokov, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant and Buguruslanskoye.