Russia suspends regional airlines

Russia's national aviation authority is suspending the flights of nine regional airlines that have not paid their service charges.

The authority, known as Rosaeronavigatsia, is owed between 10,000 and 19m roubles ($726,000;£416,000) by each carrier.

The suspension will come into effect on 17 October.

The airlines affected include Interavia and Dalavia, both of which fly to the Far East and Asia.

The other airlines stopped from flying are Aeroshchit, the Bugaruslan Flying School, Irkutsk Aeroclub ROSTO, Omskavia, Tesis and Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant Vyborg.

A statement from the authority said: "Despite repeated appeals from Rosaeronavigastia to the management of these companies, they currently have considerable unpaid debts."