U.S. asking for more Russian flight space

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The United States has reportedly asked Russia to allow more U.S. flights over the Russian Federation linking America, Asia and Europe.

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin said the United States wants to increase flights along the "crosspolar route" by almost 20 percent, RIA Novosti reported Saturday.

Levitin is on a two-day visit to the United States to discuss air traffic and transport security cooperation between the countries.

Levitin said there is a pressing need for Russia to harmonize its flight safety procedures with international standards.

"We realize that we can only achieve high safety standards if our flight safety regulations are harmonized with those that exist in other countries," he said.