Cross-polar transit potential of Russia: what prevents its implementation?

Abstract

Attention is drawn to the cross-polar transit potential of Russia in connection with the expansion of integration ties between the US and Canada, on the one hand, and the countries of East, South-East and South Asia, on the other. It is emphasized that the maintenance of cross-polar routes is considered a product of “high redistribution” and requires significant capital investments. In the Russian literature, the problem of economic efficiency of the organization of transcommunication messages has become the object of research relatively recently. It was the subject of fundamental disagreements among the authors, as some of them are of the opinion that for Russia the operation of Polar routes brings little commercial benefit and poorly takes into account the geopolitical interests of the country. One of the main reasons for this was the transition of the world’s airlines to the use of new aircraft models, and, accordingly, non-stop cross-polar flights. At the same time, the hopes of the authorities of certain Siberian regions to “get rich” at the receptions of thousands of flights a month were “put a cross”. The hypothetical possibility of Russia closing cross-polar air routes in response to the policy of economic sanctions of Western countries is discussed. It is concluded that such a step is unacceptable due to the hypothetical closure of the sky by EU countries for Russian carriers. The authors are convinced that in any case, the Russian Federation needs to take radical measures to develop its own polar aviation, build new modern airports in Siberia, as well as to improve air navigation services for flights in the harsh conditions of the Arctic.