Russian authorities are preparing to undertake inspections of more than 50 regional airlines, as part of a drive to reinforce safety levels.

Federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia and transport supervisory authority Rostransnadzor have co-operated on a draft government directive for the joint unscheduled inspections.

Rosaviatsia chief Dmitry Yadrov says the measure will cover 51 regional carriers. He referred to the plan during a recent presentation to a Federation Council committee.

The regulator points out that such inspections can result in penalties, up to and including the revocation of operating certificates.

Several Russian regional carriers still rely on older Soviet-era aircraft types.

Yadrov’s reference follows the fatal Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 crash in the Amur region on 24 July, to which altimeter pressure-setting appears to have been a contributor.

Subsequent inspections of the carrier turned up a number of concerns, sufficient for regulators to restrict certain activities.

Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee has also opened an inquiry into a Borus Airlines Antonov An-2 crash, in the Krasnoyarsk territory, on 3 October.

Neither pilot survived, and the event was the second fatal accident involving the operator in less than a year.

Investigators determined that a Borus An-3T crash on 13 October 2024 resulted from a loss of engine power following failure of an exhaust gas temperature regulator, the repair procedure for which had been performed incorrectly by personnel without specialised training.

Russian transport minister Andrey Nikitin told the Federation Council committee attendees that the ministry intended to work with Rosaviatsia and Rostransnadzor to establish a strong flight-safety system.

“It consists of several components,” he says, adding that these include technical and operational safety, maintaining airworthiness, and “overseeing the relevant activities of companies”.

Nikitin adds that the strategy will also concentrate on training and vetting aviation personnel, and strengthening requirements for educational centres.

Russian newspaper Izvestia, citing the draft inspection directive, reports that Azimuth, IrAero, Aurora and KrasAvia – as well as Borus – are among the 51 carriers to be examined.