The development of the Arctic’s transport infrastructure will be one of the main themes of the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ 5th International Arctic Forum. The importance of thoroughly developing logistics in the Arctic region has been repeatedly emphasized during meetings of the Forum’s Organizing Committee and working groups. Building an effective system of air transport services in the Arctic regions and establishing modern transport and logistics hubs will create the basis for the sustainable development of the Arctic economy as a whole. The development of the light aircraft industry will make air transportation in Russia’s Arctic zone more accessible.
The ‘Coastal Territories’ business programme will feature a session titled ‘Aircraft First: Developing the Aviation Sector in the Arctic’, which will be attended by representatives of the Russian Ministry of Transport. The session participants will discuss the feasibility of organizing regular air travel in the region as well as domestic and international flights. Intensifying and developing the air transportation system is one of the top priorities that needs to be addressed to expand opportunities for transportation in the Arctic as a whole. The discussion participants will share the latest data on the development of the airfield network and also devote special attention to the air fleet. Russia is currently developing advanced equipment for the needs of small regional aircraft, including equipment that can operate on unpaved airfields, as well as ground effect vehicles and seaplanes. The session will also address the issue of satellite support since Russia is planning to set up full satellite coverage of the Arctic in the very near future.
“According to the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and Ensuring National Security for the Period until 2020, which was approved by Vladimir Putin, there is a shortage of airplanes, aircraft equipment, and technological capabilities to study and use the Russian Arctic”, Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov said, underscoring the importance of this theme. “In this regard, we need to develop a programme to transition to an innovative path of expanding the industry’s capabilities in order to create a powerful development trend for the regional economy. I am certain that we will accomplish a lot in this regard during the relevant events of the International Arctic Forum 2019 business programme”.
(forumarctica)
