Regional airline Pskovavia (Pskov) has had its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) extended by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) for an additional week until February 7, reports Aviation Explorer.

As previously reported, Pskovavia had its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) extended until January 31, following a surprise Rosaviatsia audit last year which found it had significant debts. The airline owed more than RUB250 million (USD4.1 million), primarily to airports.

The extension is presumably to allow Pskovavia to prepare the documentation that it requires to prove that it has developed a suitable business plan, restructured its debts, and improved its financial fitness.

Russian news agency TASS further reports that Pskovavia, which is owned by the government of Pskov region, plans to upgrade its fleet and is currently considering three proposals.

Another government airline, Groznyavia (Grozny), has had its AOC suspended by Rosaviatsia and now has 270 days to have it reinstated. The suspension of the Chechan-owned airline came into effect in mid-December last year. Groznyavia is a scheduled carrier which operates nine Yak-42Ds on regular and chartered passenger flights across Russia as well as to Armenia.