OREANDA-NEWS  On 03 March was announced, that the Moscow Arbitration Court dismissed the claim of "Saratov Airlines" OJSC and confirmed validity and relevance of the decision and determination issued by the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia).

Earlier FAS Russia received a petition of "TSENTR-AVIA" A/K" OJSC that "Saratov Airlines" OJSC had violated the antimonopoly legislation.

"Saratov Airlines" OJSC is involved in airport handing of aircrafts in Saratov airport and is the only airline providing air transportation services on the Moscow- Saratov - Moscow route. During a long period, "Saratov Airlines" OJSC was refusing to approve the slots (time-frame for aircraft departures and arrivals) for "TSENTR-AVIA" A/K" OJSC for regular flights on the Moscow - Saratov - Moscow route.

Having investigated the antimonopoly case, on 22nd September 2008, FAS Russia pronounced that "Saratov Airlines" OJSC violated Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" by refusing to approve the slots for "TSENTR-AVIA" Airlines" OJSC, which would enable regular air transportation of passengers by "TSENTR-AVIA" on the Moscow - Saratov - Moscow route in the "Winter 2007" season. As a result, "Saratov Airlines" OJSC infringed the interests of "TSENTR-AVIA" A/K" OJSC.

Based on its decision, FAS Russia issued a determination to "Saratov Airlines" OJSC, according to which the company must stop the antimonopoly violations and approve the slots requested by "TSENTR-AVIA" Airlines" OJSC or the slots close to them.