OREANDA-NEWS. June 14, 2012. “In Russia liberalization of the aviation kerosene market has a short history. However, we can already observe positive intermediary results”, said Deputy Head of the Fuel-and-Energy Department of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, Olga Smirnova, speaking at the II International Conference “Aviation Fuel Market in Russia” in Moscow, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

“According to 2000 – 2009 surveys of the European Commission on Transport and Communications, prices for ground handling in 75% airports of the European Union reduced by 10-20%”, said Olga Smirnova. She pointed out that in 2009 the net profit part of the income of the airports with “competing” operators was two times lower than in the “monopolistic” operators.

As stated by Ms. Smirnova, the number of aviation fuel suppliers increased considerably in the largest Russian airports. “For instance, in large airports where the passenger flow is over one million passengers per year and there is more than a single fuel supplier, the cost of aviation kerosene has reduced on average by 15%. In the airports where the passenger flow is below one million persons per year, the cost of aviation fuel has reduced on average by 7-8%”, explained Deputy Head of FAS Department.

In her presentation on the “Rules of Non-Discriminatory Access to the Services of Holders of Natural Monopolies in Airports and the Aviation Kerosene Market: Changes in 2009-2011”, Olga Smirnova presented comparative analysis of enforcement of 96/97 EC Directive on liberalizing ground handling in the airports of the European Union, carried out by the Antimonopoly Service. She also talked about the Rules of Non-Discriminatory Access to the Services of Holders of Natural Monopolies in Airports that came into force in 2009.

“To strengthen the positive effect, FAS proposes to change the rules of non-discriminatory access, including differentiation, depending on the volume of a passenger flow”, summed up its presentation Deputy Head of the Fuel-and-Energy Department.