Russia considers airspace ban against European airliners
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 August 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia considers airspace ban against European airliners, 5 August 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54003e8aa.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 05, 2014
The EU imposed sanctions on Dobrolyot, run by state-controlled air carrier Aeroflot, because Dobrolyot operates flights to Crimea – the Ukrainian territory that was illegally annexed by Russia in March.
Reports from Moscow say Russian authorities are considering an airspace ban against European airlines that use trans-Siberian routes in retaliation for European Union sanctions that have targeted Russia's low-cost airline Dobrolyot.
The Russian daily "Vedomosti" reported on August 5 that officials in the Russian Transportation Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority were contemplating "restrictions or even a ban on transit flights by European airlines to Asia over Russian territory."
Such a move would significantly increase the cost of flights from Europe to Asia as they would be forced to take longer routes avoiding Russian airspace.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told Transportation Minister Maksim Sokolov and Vadim Zingman on August 5 there should be a discussion about retaliatory measures for the sanctions on Dobrolyot.
The EU imposed sanctions on Dobrolyot, run by state-controlled air carrier Aeroflot, because Dobrolyot operates flights to Crimea – the Ukrainian territory that was illegally annexed by Russia in March.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
