The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has stated that all Russian scheduled airlines have been barred from operating in the United Kingdom.
On Thursday, Boris Johnson warned the House of Commons that Russian airline Aeroflot will be blacklisted as a result of sanctions placed on Russia after its invasion of the country of Ukraine.
Grant Shapps, the UK’s transport secretary, has now stated that the ban would apply to all Russian scheduled airlines that operate between the UK and Russia.
In a tweet, Shapps said that he had “signed restrictions barring any scheduled #Russian airlines from entering UK airspace or landing down on British territory.” Putin’s despicable deeds will not go unnoticed, and those who endanger the lives of others will never be tolerated.
Aeroflot, a Skyteam member that flies from Moscow to Heathrow, was a popular low-cost option for travelers heading to regions such as Asia. The carrier, which is the largest in Russia, has also been barred from flying over the United Kingdom.
The decision by the United Kingdom raises the potential of retribution from Russia, which may result in British carriers being prevented from entering Russian airspace. An Aeroflot Russia Airlines (Aeroflot) spokeswoman stated in a statement: “Following the declaration made by the Prime Minister in Parliament today, the Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom has suspended the foreign carrier permit held by Aeroflot until further notice.”
In other words, “until further notice, Aeroflot will not be authorized to conduct flights to or from the United Kingdom.”