It has more to do with protecting the Russian aircraft industry than Aeroflot. > In a message dated 11/10/2003 7:21:02 PM Pacific Standard Time, > damiross2@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: > > << Re-read my statement again. They still fly them but only by leasing the > aircraft. I'm sure they would love to purchase the aircraft or have a > Russian company purchase them and then lease it from them. >> > > Considering that Aeroflot is state-owned, the fact that they still lease says > something. This policy probably has more to do with protecting SU then > taxing airplanes