Relations persist in souring between Ashgabat and Kiev with AeroSvit Ukrainian Airlines’ suspension of flights to Turkmenistan. Reasons cited for this announcement, according to a Gundogar report, are the restrictions being placed on the Ukrainian company’s activities by Turkmen authorities:

“In March 2005, the Turkmen side stopped the conversion of manats [Turkmen national currency] earned by the company in Turkmenistan. This and some other restrictions imposed on the company’s activities there have completely paralysed AeroSvit’s work in that country,” says the company press release.

Another element to the Ukrainian reprisals is their State Air Services refusal to approve winter season flight schedules between Ashgabat and Kiev for the Turkmen national airline, Turkmenhowayollary. The sale of airline tickets had been ceased from 30 October for flights between Ashgabat and Kiev carried by both countries’ air companies. Both companies were permitted to transport passengers already in posession of a ticket, but from 21 November all flights were suspended.
On a more heartening note, a number of Turkmen state concerns have put in a bumper order for 120 Ukrainian AvtoKraz-6510 trucks. Though the trucks are traditionally used for construction work, the Turkmens are interested in applying them for oil-and-gas related purposes. A total of 435 AvtoKraz vehicles have been imported to Turkmenistan since 2001.
If the Ukrainian government is sensible, it might see its way to somehow lightening Ashgabat’s financial burden.