Russian airline Aeroflot cancels international flights

Russian airline Aeroflot announced on Saturday (5) the suspension of international flights from Tuesday (8), in the midst of Western sanctions against Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.

The decision was motivated by “new circumstances that hamper flight operations”, says a statement from the company, which will maintain domestic travel and flights to Belarus.

The low-cost airline Pobeda — a subsidiary of Aeroflot — will also interrupt flights abroad on the same date.

Western powers have adopted drastic sanctions against the air transport sector due to military intervention in Ukraine, closing airspace to Russian planes and blocking the supply of spare parts.

Almost 75% of Russian airlines’ planes do not belong to the companies, but to rental companies (half European), according to the database of the specialized publication Aviation Week.

Russian regulatory agency Rosaviatsia said it had “recommended” the country’s airlines using charter planes registered outside Russia to stop flights abroad to avoid seizure of the aircraft.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday visited an Aeroflot training center near Moscow and criticized international sanctions. “These sanctions being imposed are similar to a declaration of war, but thank God it didn’t come to that,” he said.

with Reuters