Moscow Bans UK Aircraft from Using Russian Airspace in Retaliation for Aeroflot Sanctions

Moscow banned UK aircraft from using Russian airspace, including for transit purposes, the Federal Air Transport Agency announced on Friday. The restrictions also cover all aircraft associated with Britain.

“This step was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Intergovernmental Air Services Agreement between Russia and the UK as a response to unfriendly moves 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,” the agency said in a statement, Sputnik reported.

The agency noted that Moscow had sent a proposal to London to hold consultations regarding flights between the countries, noting that it was turned down.

Britain’s refusal to negotiate has prompted Russia to take tit-for-tat measures “in accordance with the provisions of the intergovernmental agreement on air traffic between Russia and the UK”.

Aeroflot (Russian Airlines), Russia’s flagship carrier and largest airline, was targeted in the latest package of British sanctions. The UK banned Aeroflot flights in the country, among other sanctions that targeted Russian bank VTB and state company Rostec.

Britain slapped sanctions on Russia on Thursday over Moscow’s special operation to protect the people of Donbass and clear Ukraine of neo-Nazis. The restrictions target over 100 Russian individuals and Russian national air carrier, Aeroflot.