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Atlant-Soyuz, the company that is responsible for the development and implementation of the Moscow air taxi program, has promised that the service will not operate over residential areas in Moscow.
A spokesperson for the company said that the taxi flights would be conducted over non-residential areas and rivers at an altitude of less than 900 meters for safety reasons, and would involve only helicopters.
The project calls for the construction of 20 helicopter pads on top of multi-story parking lots and commercial centers in the capital. Some of the pads will be built on rivers where they would not obstruct navigation.
"In all, two to three flights will be conducted from each pad per day in daylight; therefore, they will hardly bother local residents," said the Atlant-Soyuz official.
City authorities are setting aside 350 million dollars worth of investment over the next 10 years to help develop the program. They are planning to purchase 37 helicopters for flights within the city limits and to towns within a 600-km range around Moscow.
Prices for air taxi tickets will be slightly higher than those for train tickets in coach class.
Moscow's air taxi program will be the first of its kind in Russia. The first air taxi flights are scheduled for 2006.
| Source: Moscow-life | Aug.25.2005 |
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