Russian Ministry of Transport asks to speed up the adoption of law allowing foreign pilots to work in Russia as captains, Minister of Transport, Maxim Sokolov, said during meeting held by prime-minister Dmitry Medvedev. The meeting was dedicated to development of regional air transportation.

«Ministry of Transport has drafted documents stipulating changes to be made in the current regulatory structure. These changes allow foreign pilots (up to 200 pilots per year) working in Russia as captains. Such measures will be implemented for a period of 5 years. This matter has already been considered by the government of Russia, including Deputy Chairman of the government, Olga Golodets, and approved in general. That is why we are asking to speed up the decision-making process on the matter and its introduction in the State Duma», - Sokolov said.

According to the minister, not only residents of CIS countries, but also residents of European and American countries will be able to work in Russia. «At present the salary of captains is comparable with the same indicator in Europe (about 400 or even 500 thousand rubles per month) », - Maxim Sokolov noted.

Dmitry Medvedev said that work in Russia has its own specific and Russian standards and job conditions differ from the foreign ones. Maxim Sokolov, in his own turn, said that the decision on the employment of foreign pilots will be taken by the airlines and they will be assessing the ability of foreign pilots to work in Russia.