Medvedev calls for more Russian aircraft

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, speaking at a government meeting in Moscow, urged a streamlining and increase in civil aviation production. Medvedev said airlines need about 1,300 new aircraft by 2020 and noted the average age of Russian civil aircraft is 17 years, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Friday. He reminded listeners of the rapid growth of aviation services worldwide, a business he said was valued at $225.4 billion. "By 2025 it could reach 24 trillion rubles ($775 billion), so the main aim of our program is to increase our potential and fill our fleet with competitive Russian aircraft," Medvedev said.