Russian air companies may receive compensation for terminated flights to Europe due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Monday.
"We agreed with [Transport Minister Igor] Levitin that Russian airlines will calculate their losses and as soon as they are presented, we will think about compensations in the near future," Ivanov said.
He said various possible support mechanisms for Russian airlines would be considered.
A giant ash cloud from the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano hit air traffic throughout central and northern Europe, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Most European airports resumed operations on Wednesday last week.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has estimated airlines lost $1.7 billion over the disruption in air traffic.
The head of The Russian Federal Air Transportation Agency, Alexander Neradko, said on Thursday last week Russian air companies could receive compensation for the recent air traffic disruption.
RYBINSK, April 26 (RIA Novosti)
