MINSK, 12 January (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in cooperation with the Russian air carrier S7 in aircraft repairs and maintenance. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Anatoly Kalinin made the statement as he met with a delegation of the Russian company led by the company's founder Natalia Fileva on 12 January, BelTA has learned.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus mentioned the country's advantageous geographical location. He drew attention to the fact that over 600 aircraft cross the Belarusian air space on a daily basis. Belarus' advantages also include highly qualified workforce, experience of aircraft maintenance and repairs. Considerable investments are poured into infrastructure projects in Belarus, including aviation transport ones. “In particular, in the last 2.5 years we've invested about $300 million into the development of such projects — the reconstruction of the Minsk National Airport and the acquisition of new aircraft. We are building a runway and in essence a new aircraft repair factory in addition to a flight control center. Thus, we are going to create a major hub,” said Anatoly Kalinin.
In his words, the aircraft repair factory has a sufficient number of orders for several years. “The factory is operating at full capacity. Orders are available for 2017 and 2018,” said the official. Anatoly Kalinin also mentioned other facilities, which are being set up in the Minsk National Airport, including with assistance of Chinese investments. He remarked that “the airport's area allows increasing the capacities for at least 10-20 years”.
Anatoly Kalinin invited the air carrier S7 to consider possible avenues of mutually beneficial partnership. “We are looking for partners. We seek mutually beneficial collaboration, points of mutual interest. We would like to hear your proposals,” he said.
In turn, Natalia Fileva stated that S7 is ready to cooperate with Belarus in the maintenance and repairs of Western aircraft. “We are interested in this project. At present we occupy over 50% of the Russian market as a technical services provider and would like to grow larger,” she stressed. “Belarus has a good base and qualified workforce. We hope that together we will be able to offer new opportunities to our partners.”
Natalia Fileva noted that S7 is ready to take part in the establishment of a good technical center in Belarus and can contribute its expertise to the project. “Using the airport's parking apron for storing aircraft also looks promising. We would like to work with leasing companies in this direction. We provide such services to American and Chinese companies,” she said.
The founder of the Russian air carrier S7 also said she hopes that the new regulations that allow visa-free travels to Belarus will encourage business development in the country. “It will add a certain plus to our endeavor,” she was convinced.
Natalia Fileva also pointed out that a Minsk-based IT company takes care of maintenance of the S7 website. “I am convinced that the local specialists are highly qualified since we constantly get awards for our website,” she summed up.
