Belarus, Russia looking into joint flat fares

Belarus and Russia are in negotiations over introducing flat fares on flights between the two countries, just like those that already exist within Russia, Interfax reported, citing Dmitry Krutoy, Belarussian ambassador to Russia. The diplomat stated that the idea was outlined at a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers of the Union State, referring to a supranational union between Russia and Belarus which will turn 25 at the end of this year. Furthermore, Krutoy stressed that additional joint legislation would be needed to implement the project, with Minsk already prepared to use its budget to subsidize air travel to sister cities in Russia, Murmansk and Ulyanovsk Vostochny. He went on to say that flights between Moscow and Minsk could also fall under the programme once launched. Belavia operates eight weekly flights to Moscow while Aeroflot operates five flights on the same route, ch-aviation schedules shows. There are no scheduled operations at the moment between the Belarussian capital and its sister cities.<br/>