The Russian Transport Ministry has prepared a draft “roadmap” to liberalize air communication with Kazakhstan, Valery Okulov,  Deputy Transport Minister, told journalists. He also noted that the proposals of the Ministry of Transport has an “open sky” mode i.e. the ability to operate an unlimited number of flights between Russia andKazakhstan.

“So far, we have prepared but yet even did not send it. In our project, one provides an “open sky” mode for Russian and Kazakh air carriers”, Mr. Okulov said. “By August, we will send this draft to Kazakhstan, so I have no doubt it will be done before August”.

Kommersant reported citing some sources that aviation authorities of Russia andKazakhstancould not find a compromise on the issue of flights on and to appoint the second air carrier of the Russian Federationto fly to Kazakhstan. Air Astana, Kazakhstan, expected to enter Trans-Siberian air routes with a duty-free status, but the Russian side did not give such a right to this air carrier. In response, the Kazakh authorities threatened to stop Aeroflot’s flights to Kazakhstan, and they did not give permission to appoint the second air carrier of the Russian Federation to fly to Kazakhstan.

The “open sky” mode implies the removal of restrictions between two or more countries, as regards the number of flights and airlines that operate them.