MOSCOW, June 13 - RAPSI. The Moscow Commercial Court will hear the defamation lawsuit lodged by Russia's largest air carrier against the Izvestia central newspaper.

The lawsuit centers on an Izvestia article alleging that pilots, Aeroflot pilots among them, fall asleep at the steering wheel during the flight because their work load is too heavy. The plaintiff seeks a refutation and five million rubles ($153,400) in moral damages.

The newspaper does not accept the claims. At the previous session, the defendant said its response was not yet ready as it needs time to collect evidence. Earlier, the air line urged "all the media not to reproduce the information published by Izvestia."

Currently, Aeroflot is contesting the State Labor Inspectorate's order to pay the crew for working under especially hazardous and dangerous conditions, as well as for night work. The next hearing has been set for June 22.

Aeroflot "is a member of SkyTeam global air alliance. The state, represented by the Federal Agency for State Property, is the airline's major shareholder with a 51.17-percent stake.