DUSHANBE, July 8, 2010, Asia-Plus — On Wednesday July 7, aircraft of the Tajik national air carrier, Tajik Air, departed for the cities of Yekaterinburg (Russia), St. Petersburg (Russia), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), and Khujand (Tajikistan) with considerable delay because the ground crews were late refueling the planes.
According to the state unitary enterprise, International Airport Dushanbe, the main reason for delays is Tajik Air’s debts to open joint-tock company (OJSC) Fuel-Supply Company.
In the meantime, Ms. Lola Kenjayeva, a spokeswoman for Tajik Air, says the flights were delayed intentionally. “We do not deny that we owe money to the fuel-supply company but the debt is being repaid in accordance with schedule endorsed by the sides,” said the spokeswoman, “The sides also agreed that Tajik Air’s planes will be refueled opportunely.”
“Yesterday morning, when a considerable amount, making major part of the debt, was transferred to the fuel-supply company’s account, the company representatives noted that their administration ordered them not to refuel the Tajik Air planes,” Kenjayeva said.
According to her, the fuel supply company managers did not reply to numerous calls from the Tajik Air administration. “The Tajik Air administration applied to representatives of French Air Force deployed at the Dushanbe airport and they agreed to help the Tajik national air carrier,” said Kenjayeva, “However, the fuel-supply company did not let their refueling vehicles pass.” The situation was settled only when the fuel-supply company director general appeared in his office, she added.
“Image of the national air carrier is being undermined by the fuel-supply company and the Dushanbe airport, which had recently been parts of Tajik Air, intentionally,” said the spokeswoman, “Passengers who were picketing the building of Tajik Air were voicing rumors circulated by the Dushanbe airport managers – Tajik Air has allegedly become bankrupt and it is necessary to buy tickets for flights operated by other air companies.”
Meanwhile, the situation has been put right and all flights are now operated by Tajik Air in accordance with schedule.
