In addition, the regional directorates of the Federal Aviation Service are more concerned with general flight safety issues than with local airport management. The study will provide recommendations for upgrading airports to an international level. At present, airport charges, take off and landing fees and ground handling charges form the basis for a bitter argument between airports and airlines. Up to 98 percent of airport revenues come from ground handling, thus, making airports excessively dependent on airlines' performance. There are 756 airports operating in the Russian Federation.
Many regional airports operate at a fraction of their capacity and have excess space.
Moreover, airports lack capable management to commercialize the available facilities. The airport facilities are poorly equipped and the service does not meet international standards. On the other hand, with increased international traffic, Central Russia's international airports have reached the limit of their capacity and are looking for funds to finance expansion. As international international cargo and passenger traffic is growing in Russia, airports in major cities come under increasing pressure for more space and better service. It is also expected that the gradual revival of the Russian economy will result in high intensity short and middle-distance air travel and freight which will place additional demands on the existing airport facilities.