Mr Ivanov said the Government had adopted a series of decisions to support and promote development of the air traffic control system in the country, in particular by approving federal targeted programmes. The targeted programme of modernising the air traffic control system will be financed beginning on January 1, 2009, Mr Ivanov said, adding that allocations amounted to 82 billion roubles for the period until 2015.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Moscow Automated Air Traffic Control Centre was in the process of introducing a new technological system. Last year, a decision was taken on a governmental initiative to amalgamate civilian and military air traffic controllers.

"I have seen today that the process is continuing at a smooth pace," he said, adding that the effort was aimed at the gradual creation of the profession called "universal controller," capable of fulfilling both civilian and military duties.

"This will raise the efficiency of the air traffic control system," Mr Ivanov said.

He also said that the Government would support above all large airline companies in the given situation, referring to the airlines that account for 90% of the passenger transportation market. Mr Ivanov recalled that the Government had decided to provide state guarantees to the largest Russian airlines and to allocate 30 billion roubles for that purpose.