UK airlines banned from Russia

UK airlines banned from Russia

According to reports, the Russian civil aviation regulator has said British airlines have been banned from landing at Russia’s airports and from crossing its airspace.

Russia said the move was a response to “the unfriendly decisions by the UK aviation authorities”.

On Thursday, the UK reportedly banned Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot from landing in the UK.

This was part of sanctions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told ITV: “I think that’s their retaliation for us yesterday banning Aeroflot from using and landing in the United Kingdom. That’s their tit for tat response.”

From the BBC Russia’s civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said: “This measure was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Intergovernmental Air Services Agreement between Russia and the UK as a response to unfriendly decisions by the UK aviation authorities regarding the restriction on regular flights of aircraft owned, leased or operated by a person associated with Russia or registered in Russia.”

British Airways said in a statement it was notifying customers of cancelled services and would offer full refunds.

“We apologize for the inconvenience but this is clearly a matter beyond our control,” the airline said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

British Airways normally operates three flights per week between London and Moscow.