The government said it planned to start talks with the Russian authorities to revise a 1981 air services agreement on flights over Siberia as this was deemed to be against EU rules.

It was commenting on an announcement made by the European Commission that it initiated infringement procedures against Malta over the agreement with Russia.

Brussels said it was worried the agreement hindered equal treatment of EU airlines and competition between European airlines, providing the basis for charges when flying over Siberia that could be illegal under EU antitrust rules.

Similar infringement procedures by the Commission have already started against another 23 other member states because of similar agreements with Russia.

The Commission said the fact EU airlines had to pay to fly over Siberia on their way to Asian destinations could not only make flights more expensive but also lead to unfair competition between EU and non-EU airlines.

The Commission’s view is air transport agreements must treat all EU airlines equally and respect antitrust rules, otherwise some EU airlines may be treated less favourably than their direct competitors or face paying unreasonable additional charges that can get passed on to consumers through higher air fares.

Reacting, the government defended its position while pledging that talks to solve the issue on a bilateral basis with Russia would start soon.

The Transport Ministry acknowledged the agreement had to be amended in line with EU rules.

The government said that as the Commission was working towards a horizontal mandate to discuss EU air services agreements on behalf of member states, Malta had so far refrained from starting negotiations with the Russian Federation so as not to prejudice this work.