Vladimir Putin asked the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance “to clarify” situation with airfares for airline services to Far East destinations.

“I recall how this idea [donating air tickets for Far East residents] came into consideration and where it came from: we were holding meetings in line of actions by United Russia (Russia’s ruling party) and the representatives of the Far East asked me the question about difficulties with the air travel. This was a pint-point action, not a systematic decision”, the head of the Russian government said.

On Monday he was speaking at the recent regional conference by United Russia, devoted to the Far East. “We have yet to think it over, what from such [high] prices come from, what happens to aviation kerosene, why it has such a price, and why we create additional obstacles for development of domestic air routes and, at the same time, ease terms for our competitors abroad [he seems to meant trans Siberian overfly]. I have formulated the respective tasks for the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance, - they must sort these things out and report to me”, the head of the Russian government was quoted as saying.