Tajik aviation authorities are prepared to sue with Yamal Airlines, Russia, and do not rule out a similar suit against the Russian side from Tajikistan’s Somon Air, Sherali Gandzhalzoda, Minister of Transport of Tajikistan, reported to RIA Novosti, Russia.
On December 22, 2016 the Ministry of Transport of Russiareported that, as a result of the talks held in Moscow,Tajikistan does not allow Yamal Airlines to fly into the country from the Moscow’sZhukovsky International Airport. In response, on December 23rd, Moscowsuspended flights for Tajik Somon Air to a number of Russian regions.
Commenting on the Yamal Airlines’ statement regarding its intention to apply to the court for compensation of losses incurred due to cancellation of flights to Tajikistanfrom Zhukovsky, the Minister said, “Tajik aviation authorities are ready to trial, as the Russian airline’s actions were illegal. The truth is behind us, we did not break anything, but the Yamal Airlines was illegally selling air tickets without getting permission for flights from Tajikistan.
According to him, the Tajik side is ready to defend the interests of its airlines in court. “Somon Air, which is due to the sanctions imposed by Russia can not fly to the Russian regions, why it has suffered serious financial losses, can apply to the court with the same claim”, Mr. Gandzhalzoda said.
The Tajik side justifies its refusal to grant permits for Yamal Airlines with the lack of parity. The Minister of Transport of Tajikistan said earlier to RIA Novosti that according to the Intergovernmental Agreement, all flights must be operated on a parity basis and Dushanbeis satisfied with the number of flights operated from Zhukovsky Airport. According to him, Tajikistan’s air carriers are not yet ready to operate the third flight from Zhukovsky.
In turn, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation stated that the references to the lack of parity are incompetent. According to the explanation from this Ministry, the Tajik side in its negotiations with aviation authorities of the two countries held on November 7, 2016 took the appointment of Russian air companies on the Zhukovsky – Dushanbeand Zhukovsky – Khujand air routes, as was recorded in the final protocol. At the time of these negotiations, the designated air carriers from the Russian side included Ural Airlines and Yamal Airlines. The first of these air companies started flight operations in November 2016.
Yamal Airlines planned to begin its flights to Dushanbeand Khujand from Zhukovsky since December 20, 2016 and the air company sold air tickets for the nearest flights. Dushanbeallowed Yamal Airlines to operate a charter flight to Dushanbe to take the passengers who have been at the airport for more than two days.
Flights of UTair, Ural Airlines and Tajik Air are carried out without any problems and the passengers can use their services. “We recommend to buy the air tickets of those airlines which have official permission for flights to fly to your home without any extra problems”, Sarvar Bakhti, Spokesperson, Tajik Embassy in Russia, said to RIA Novosti.
