AEROFLOT SOVIET AIRLINES (Violation of air space)

Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (a) the number of violations of our air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines over the years from 1980 to the present; (b) what actions have been taken by the Government to ensure that the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines would comply with our laws; and (c) whether in view of the Soviet Union's shooting down of the Korean Air Lines Boeing-747 and the violations of our air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines, the Government would suspend the landing rights of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines for a period of time.

Mr S. Dhanabalan: (a) There were four instances of violations of Tengah air space by Aeroflot aircraft in early 1980 (14 January to 16 April). Since then, there have been no further violations.

(b) The Singapore Government took appropriate action against the violations of Singapore's air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines in 1980. On 25 April 1980, the Soviet Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and told of the violations of Tengah air space by Aeroflot aircraft. He was warned that any such violations in the future would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of Singapore. Since the warning, there have been no further violations.

I would like to assure the Honourable Member that the Government takes a very serious view of any violation of Singapore's air space. Under the terms of the Air Services Agreement between Singapore and the Soviet Union, the Singapore Government can take legal action against any infringement of our air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines or any other airline. Paragraph 58 of the Air Navigation Order of 1973 stipulates that any contravention of our air space by any airline shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment. Similarly, Article 3(6) of the Air Services Agreement between Singapore and the USSR gives Singapore the right to suspend Aeroflot flights in Singapore if the Aeroflot Airlines failed to comply with the conditions prescribed in the Agreement.

(c) The Singapore Government has no plans to suspend the landing rights of the Aeroflot Airlines.