Russia's aviation regulator has declined to act on a recommendation to ground about 200 Boeing 737 jetliners operating in the country, staving off a potential disruption to passenger travel.
The decision was made at a meeting in Moscow to review a recommendation of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), a safety agency, which was announced unexpectedly on Thursday.
"There are no reasons to suspend operation of Boeing 737," the head of Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsiya, Alexander Neradko, told reporters after the meeting on Friday.
"Operation of Boeing 737 in Russia will continue on the same grounds as previously."
Neradko did not disclose the reason for the decision.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
On Thursday, the IAC said the recommendation on the certificate suspension would remain in effect until it receives notification from Rosaviatsya and the US Federal Aviation Administration about the safety of Boeing 737 control surfaces on the tail of the aircraft that help steer it.
The IAC retracted its recommendation on Friday, said Nataliya Fileva, co-owner of Russia's S7 Airlines, who took part in the meeting.
Its representatives did not attend the meeting, according to Neradko.
"Boeing is pleased that Russian aviation authorities have confirmed that the Russian 737 fleet fully complies with all US and Russian type certification requirements, and the fleet will continue operations as usual," the company said in a statement.
