MOSCOW, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Russia will allocate more than 250 billion rubles (about 3.14 billion U.S. dollars) this year to implement its comprehensive aviation industry development program, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Thursday.
Speaking at a government meeting on aircraft manufacturing, Mishustin said the funding will primarily be used to increase advance payments, ensure the delivery of more than 70 aircraft and complete production preparations at leading manufacturers and their partner enterprises.
The government will also finance the delivery of more than 70 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters to regional airlines, he said.
In addition, authorities are preparing an investment project to finance deliveries of the Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft for air services in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District, as well as the LMS-901 Baikal aircraft.
Mishustin stressed the importance of maintaining aircraft production and fulfilling planned orders through 2035.
To support domestic aircraft purchases, the government will also introduce a preferential lending program for airlines leasing Russian-made aircraft, he said. The measure is intended to ease the financial burden on carriers and help sustain production lines.
