Passenger air traffic in Russia surged by 16.4% year on year, President Vladimir Putin said at the combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference.

"As regards development of transportation and passenger traffic, it is growing. The winner here is passenger transportation by air, 16-odd percent - 16.4% over the year, I believe. Railway transportation came in second - plus 10.4%," Putin said.

Motor transportation on roads gained almost 7%, the head of state noted.