"I can confirm that Aeroflot has received this document. Considering its format, we are embarking on fulfilling its requirements, since on this depends the normal operation of the airline in this sector," he said.
The Transportation Security Administration has prescribed to airlines making flights from Russia to the U.S. to step up the checking of passengers and their luggage.
The U.S. has come to the conclusion that it would be wise to take additional security measures in order to enhance the protection of flights between the U.S. and Russia until there is more information to assess the situation, said Amy Von Walter, an official spokesperson for the administration.
She remarked that Delta Air Lines and Aeroflot were told to check passengers and luggage for the presence of explosives by means of various techniques.
A representative of the US Department of Homeland Security told The Associated Press on conditions of anonymity that airlines should take extra security measures around an aircraft in a Moscow airport and also check the plane before passengers board it.
At the same time, according to Koshlyakov, the document raises some concerns among the Aeroflot management. "The airlines have already been taking measures which, according to checks made by international auditors, correspond to absolutely all international security requirements. Besides, fulfillment of the directive of US authorities will require, in addition to increases in personnel and expenses, extending the time to inspect passengers from the announcement of registration to five hours. "This means that all passengers will be obliged to arrive at the airport five hours before the departure," said Koshlyakov.
He indicated that Aeroflot already prepared an appropriate communication to Russia's Federal Agency for Civil Aviation to assess the requirements from the point of view of their validity.
