Russian authorities have barred British airlines from landing in the country and from flying across its airspace. The Russian civil aviation authority said that the decision was made in reaction to “unfriendly choices by the United Kingdom aviation authorities.”
The Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, as well as all other Russian airlines, were barred from entering the United Kingdom yesterday. The action was part of a broader set of measures imposed in response to the military invasion of Ukraine.
“This measure was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Intergovernmental Air Services Agreement between Russia and the United Kingdom as a response to unfriendly decisions by the United Kingdom aviation authorities regarding the restriction on regular flights of aircraft owned, leased, or operated by a person associated with Russia or registered in Russia,” the Russian civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, stated.
In the period between February 18 and February 25, according to Cirium statistics, a total of 24 passenger flights were scheduled to leave from the United Kingdom to Russia. There were 16 flights planned between London Heathrow and Moscow Sheremetyevo, with Aeroflot being the leading airline with 16 flights booked.
British Airways was the other airline operating between the two nations, with eight scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Moscow Domodedovo airports per week. The cancellation of four flights between Russia and the United Kingdom today, two from Aeroflot and two from British Airways.
Following the cancellation of certain routes, British Airways stated it would contact passengers and provide full reimbursements. “We sincerely apologize for any trouble this has caused, but this is obviously a situation beyond our control,” stated the airline.
‘We will continue to constantly watch the issue,’ said the team. Flight routes for several of Virgin Atlantic’s flights between the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and India have also been modified, the airline said.
It is anticipated that flight times on these routes would be increased by 15 minutes to an hour. “The safety and security of our customers and personnel always comes first, and we are closely watching the situation in Ukraine and Russia as a result of the intensification of hostilities,” the airline said in an apology for the delays. “We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Russia has also been deprived of the Champions League final, which was originally scheduled to take place in St Petersburg but will now be hosted by Paris, as well as the Formula One Grand Prix, which was already canceled.
