Russian authorities are to ground unsafe airlines as the country mourns the latest in a series of deadly accidents.

Following the deaths of 43 people from the Lokomotiv ice hockey squad in an air disaster earlier this week, president Dmitry Medvedev ordered officials to “discontinue the operations of air carriers incapable of ensuring flight safety”.

The president also called for the removal of older Soviet-era jets.

Draft measures are expected to be completed by November 15th.

Medvedev also called on his government to subsidise charter carriers that pass certification and provide additional financial assistance to regional carriers as the number of airlines shrinks.

A separate set of proposals to be submitted for parliamentary approval in December would raise penalties for air safety violations and allow inspectors to ground dangerous planes without court orders.