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Russia's air transport industry is trying to globally expand its airline services and the airline carriers like Aeroflot, Siberia Airlines, Transaero have improved significantly.

The steps that Russia is taking to secure a market share of the narrow-body commercial jet market are highlighted. Moscow is planning to initiate two programs the Superjet 100-regioanl jetliner and the MS-21 150-210-seat aircraft with the latter expected on the market within five years.

Competing designs of unmanned-combat air vehicle (UCAV) concepts for the air-to-surface role will be presented to the Russian defense ministry by airframers MiG and Sukhoi.

Successful Russian military collaboration has been almost exclusively restricted to Moscow's traditional defense partners. Unsurprisingly, 40-odd years of military confrontation has proved difficult to unlearn, while international relations has doggedly failed to conform to a once-touted 'New World Order'.

Russian firms are planning military aircraft upgrades as part of an anti-Joint Strike Fighter program. Manufacturers such as Sukhoi and MiG Russian Aircraft Corp. are waiting to see the latest in US technology before they develop their fifth-generation fighters.

Russia's airlines reported combined profits in 2000 were up over 80% from 1999 at $249 million. The evolution of the carriers is discussed along with the economic factors constraining their growth. Aircraft manufacture, infrastructure, safety records and government policy are also discussed.

Russian investment firm Center Capital's surprise decision to acquire a fleet of aircraft from Germany's Thomas Cook would bring relief to the Lufthansa affiliate and bring new capacity for Russian airlines. Under a deal concluded on 15th January 2004, a German-based charter airline affiliate with Thomas Cook, Condor Flugdienst Gmbh., would sell 12 Boeing 757-200 medium-haul transports to Center Capital that is to be delivered through October 2004.

The partners in the International Space Station have agreed to maintain a crew in the orbiting laboratory for at least 18 months without the support of NASA's space shuttles , which have been grounded. The present crew of three will be replaced by a two man crew using Russian Soyuz-TMA spacecraft.

Russia's low-fare airline sector continues to face several challenges with regards to growth prospects. Two of Russia's two recent low-fare airlines Avianova and Sky Express have also run into several difficulties, some of which are highlighted.

The plans for the merger of Russian airliner Aeroflot with six smaller airlines has been approved by the Russian government. The move will double the traffic for Aeroflot as well as provide it with hubs in northwest and central Russia and the Russian Far East.

Russia's commercial aircraft sector though plagued by funding problems continues to attract international Western buyers. Inadequate quality of corporate management, high costs and low labor productivity are a few factors contributing to the problems being faced by the sector.

The Russian Air Force has major plans to enhance its airborne capabilities and aspirations include fielding of an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), a fifth-generation fighter and development of a next-generation strategic bomber. The Russian Air Force has faced several challenges especially funding problems and thus the UCAV seems quite ambitious.

Russia is preparing to overhaul and revamp the existing air force to improve operational readiness and prepare itself to counter any future threats. Russia is about to conclude the largest fighter aircraft order; however, funding continue to remain a cause of concern.

The powerplant for the Superjet 100 is being jointly developed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. and PowerJet. The first two aircrafts the SN95007 and SN95008 are in the final stages of assembly and will be delivered to launch customers Armenian Armavia and Russian Aeroflot once the airworthiness certificate is obtained.

The new management of Aeroflot Russian Airlines is expected to boost and increase the diminishing fortunes of the airline. Some of the various cost-cutting moves planned by the new management such as staff retrenchment, renovation of the fleet and others are highlighted.

Ukraine is planning to sell off its share of airline holdings as the industry moves towards privatization. The aviation industry has reported a positive growth in the first quarter of 2009 despite the ongoing economic recession.

Russian airlines have been affected by the global economic recession and are experiencing financial problems. A drop in revenues and passenger traffic may prompt carriers to seek financial aid from the government.

The Russian air force is slowly resuming services of its MiG-29 fighters, which were grounded following some accidents. An assessment revealed that the accidents were caused by corrosion of the aircrafts' vertical stabilizers, due to a lack of use and inadequate parking conditions of the fighters.

Mikhail Pogosyan is to initiate efforts to balance the financial situation of MiG before its final integration into United Aircraft Corp. MiG has run into financial difficulties and is to become a fully owned government-held joint stock company.

Boris Obnosov, director general of Russia's Tactical Missile Corp. discusses the changes that have taken place in the company following the incorporation of additional companies that number 20. Additionally he reveals the progress on the development of the Kh-38M and the future of the Russian missile industry.

Worries about rising operational costs, and surging oil prices have all pushed Airbus to develop a high-density version of the A350XWB. Airbus is now offering a 10-abreast configuration for the A350 as well as a 30-metric ton decrease in maximum takeoff weight and a 40% engine-derate capability.

Bombardier is examining options to sustain the long-term support for the increasing demand from Russian customers for its business aircrafts.

Transaero, Russia's second largest international carrier, plans to augment its existing fleet. It plans to restrict purchase of the Tupolev Tu-214 and focus on the Sukhoi Superjet regional aircraft.

Russia's Irkut Corp is trying to develop its fledgling commercial business by modernizing tooling at its manufacturing facilities and familiarizing personnel with Western production processes and techniques. The company is aiming for an important commercial project with EADS for an A320 freighter conversion program as well as becoming a final assembly site for the MS-21 twinjet project.

Russia's United Aircraft Corp. admits that delays in certifications tests for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 may delay the initial delivery of the aircrafts.

The doubts over quality control of the MiG-35 aircrafts supplied by Russia prompts Algeria to reject further aircraft deliveries as well as return the aircrafts already delivered. Algeria is believed to have informed Russia that it will return the first 15 of the MiG-29SMTs it has already accepted, and it is unwilling to take any further delivery of the type.

Russia is trying to convince India to collaborate in building a new manned spaceship even though it is already slated for a delay.

Russia's guided-weapons manufacturers are fighting a battle to establish their position in the export market while fighting to retain specialist staff at home.

The Russian air force intends to start acceptance trails of its next generation fighter in 2012 with the government finally agreeing to give much demanded support for the aircraft's weapons suite.

The Russian commercial helicopter production is lagging behind due to obsolete, but cheap, Soviet-made designs and lack of proper funding for buying new and used Western-made rotorcrafts. The Russian helicopter sector might revive with Oboronprom Corp. delivering six Ka-226s to the Jordanian government and Kazan Helicopters developing the 3.3-ton, nine-seat Ansat, which has domestic market success with both commercial and military customers.