Russia's Transport Ministry reversed a ban on Bermudian registered aircraft built prior to 1993 after it was branded unfair.

Last week The Royal Gazette reported that Russia had made a surprise decision to ban all foreign registered aircraft, built 15 or more years ago, from operating in Russian airspace.

Currently 60 percent of the aircraft registered in Bermuda operate in Russia, according to the Director of Civil Aviation Thomas Dunstan.

However after news spread of the decision Russian airline companies complained it was adversely impacting their profit margins as they had not been warned about the legislation and had purchased a large number of the banned aircraft.

Mr. Dunstan said: "Russia has now decided to do it on a case-by-case basis instead of sticking with the outright ban.

"The airline operators would like them to develop a programme, but for now it will be decided on a case-by-case basis."

The proposed ban was unlike legislation in place in other jurisdictions

"We have an aged aircraft programme in place for all aircraft older than 14 years," he said. "These aircraft undergo more scrutiny and maintenance. Our programme is similar to what the US Federal Aviation Association has in place."

Of the 360 planes registered in Bermuda, approximately 220 operate in Russia, and only two planes currently waiting to join the register have been rejected by Russia's new system.