If Passed, Would Double Limit To 49 Percent

It seems the question of "who-owns-what" is universal in the aircraft biz -- from the matter of the state owning a third airline in South Africa, to the current showdown between the United States and European Union over foreign ownership of upstart carrier Virgin America.

Taking something of a contrarian position is Russia... which plans on easing restrictions on foreign countries participating in commercial aircraft projects over the next several years, in order to attract much-needed investment in the country's aerospace industry.

Under the new guidelines set for review next month, foreign companies would be allowed to own stakes of up to 49 percent in Russian aerospace companies -- double what current laws allow -- in a move aimed at revitalizing commercial aircraft production in Russia.

Lawmakers say that will help those planemakers who can't rely on sales of military aircraft to stay afloat... those companies that, in the words of one Russian official, are only producing one or two planes per year right now.

Boeing and EADS are very interested in this latest development, as both aerospace companies look to shore up supplies of raw materials from Russia, as well as gain access to Russian engineering resources.

That doesn't mean things are changing completely, however... as the Kremlin will still oversee the industries it deems to be of strategic interest to the country, such as development of Sukhoi's new 100-seat regional jet.

FMI: www.avia.ru/english/