Congress devoted to air transport development kicks off in Ulyanovsk.

Investors show interest in the economic port zone.

Ulyanovsk, April 22, 2001 – The one-day Congress forming part of the International Air Transport Forum (IATF-2011) kicked off in Ulyanovsk today. The Congress is devoted to air transport industry development. The Congress features Chairman of the Forum’s Organization Committee and Ulyanovsk Regional Governor Sergei Morozov, Deputy Minister of Transport Valery Okulov, President of the United Aircraft Corporation Mikhail Pogosyan, as well as CEOs of the leading Russian and foreign aircraft building companies, airlines and airports.

The Congress opened with a Plenary Session entitled ‘Russian Aviation as a Driving Force in the Economy’ devoted to the outlook for passenger and cargo air transport as well as fleet modernization. Highlights focused on attracting investors to the industry, particularly through the creation of special economic port zones.

''Investors are showing strong interest in the development of the port zone,'' said Sergei Morozov. ''We have a strategic goal to become an aviation capital in the next five years and to implement all our strategic advantages in this field.'

The advantages of special economic zones should contribute to growth in productivity as well as to the development of expanded route connections and hubs in Russia.

A number of agreements have been signed between the Ulyanovsk Regional Government and Gazpromneft, Gazpromneft-Aero and other companies.

‘Ulyanovsk has all the necessary conditions to become a competitive player in the network of air cargo centers,'' said Valery Gabriel, Executive President of Volga-Dnepr Airlines. ''Here we meet all the prerequisites to develop an effective regional air cargo hub.''

Next year the Second International Air Transport Forum will take place in Ulyanovsk. The Forum Administration has signed an agreement with the administration of the annual MAKS Air Show that takes place in Moscow to coordinate the times of the two events. Starting in 2012, the two events will take place in alternating years.

The First International Air Transport Forum taking place in Ulyanovsk on April 22-23 this year is slated to become a Federal-level venue for discussing key strategic and tactical issues in air transport. More than 1000 participants from 12 countries are taking part in the Forum.

For more information please visit the official web-site www.ul-avia.com or call +7 499 502 20 66.