Photos
Medvedev demands improvement of air safety
Updated: 2011-09-08 22:32
(Xinhua)
MOSCOW - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday demanded improvement of the country's air industry safety through reducing small airlines, upgrading air fleets and enhancing pilot training.
The president arrived Thursday morning in Yaroslavl, where a Yak-42 plane crash killed 43 people Wednesday. He laid flowers at the crash site and held a moment of silence to mourn the victims.
Medvedev told reporters at the site that the number of domestic small airlines should be "radically" reduced, while promising the government will also take measures to upgrade the country's aircraft fleet.
He also has ordered the Transport Ministry and relevant departments to pay attention to the training of civil aviation pilots in Russia.
"We must give the most serious attention to the assessment of piloting skills. They are not quite all right so far," he was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.
Those who are not ready to work must be dismissed, the president said.
"The human factor invariably suggested in such accidents happens everywhere, including this country. We must do our best to minimize its effect," he added.
The Yak-42 is one of the outdated workhorses of Russian aviation industry, along with the Tupolev Tu-154.
Russia has a poor air safety record. In June, a Tu-134 passenger plane crashed in northwest Russia, killing 44 people.
E-paper
Way over the moon
After an outcry several years ago about wasteful packaging, it seems that the mooncake makers of China have seen the light.
From death matches to child's play
Tomb raiders remain a menace
Kicking for joy
Specials
China at her fingertips
Veteran US-China relations expert says bilateral ties have withstood the test of time
The myth buster
An outsider's look at china's leaders is updated and expanded
China in vogue
How Country captured the fascination of the world's most powerful fashion player