"I have signed a resolution approving the regulations for granting subsidies to air carriers in 2009," Putin said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said that the resolution was aimed at supporting ticket-holding passengers who may become victims of disputes or financial difficulties involving air carriers.
Air companies will now receive government subsidies allowing them to carry passengers from another Russian carrier.
Ivanov said the bill would give passengers a "safety cushion" as "the state virtually guarantees flights irrespective of the company who sold the tickets."
Problems with fuel bills caused flight delays across the country in August and September 2008 and forced a number of airlines into bankruptcy while stranded passengers had to wait for several days at airports to fly to their destination points.
