 Moscow Talks Strengthen Links between Alaska, Russian Far East April 15, 2002
"This success expands air service to Chukotka from Nome and Anchorage, and supports our continued economic and humanitarian partnership with Gov. Abramovich and the people of Chukotka," said Knowles. "I congratulate and express my appreciation to the Russian and U.S. officials involved in these discussions for recognizing the importance of scheduled air service across the Bering Strait." The bilateral aviation agreement that governs all passenger and cargo service between the two countries also maintains the opportunity for U.S. carriers to provide scheduled air service to the Russian Far East. Cities open for scheduled air service include Magadan, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Designated Russian carriers also maintain the right to operate unlimited flights between any city in the Russian federation and one or more cities anywhere in the U.S., providing the flight serves a city in Alaska. Representing the Governor at the Moscow talks, Marideth Sandler emphasized to Russian officials the importance of scheduled Chukotka-Alaska air service. The U.S. made this one of its top negotiating priorities at the Moscow talks, in response to advocacy by state officials, Alaska air carriers and organizations active in Chukotka. Richard Page of Soar International in Soldotna was also a member of the U.S. delegation. "The Russian officials clearly understood the importance of scheduled air service between Alaska and Chukotka to provide humanitarian assistance and to support the strong ties between our peoples," Page said. During the talks, the Russian delegation announced an initiative ordered by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov last month to review the status of all international airports in Russia in terms of heightened security needs and other international airport standards.
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