Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Europe, Canada Move To Close Airspace To Russian Planes

The restriction on Russian planes comes as the airline sector continues to deal with the repercussions of the worldwide epidemic, which is still putting pressure on travel demand.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: European countries and Canada on Sunday took a big step to close their airspace to Russian planes, in an effort to put pressure on President Vladimir Putin to cease his invasion of Ukraine, the worst attack on a European state since World War II.

The restriction on Russian planes comes as the airline sector continues to deal with the repercussions of the worldwide epidemic, which is still putting pressure on travel demand, news agency Reuters reported.

Germany and France followed Britain, the Nordics, and the Baltic nations in imposing prohibitions on Russian use of their airspace, a significant escalation in a strategy by largely NATO allies to wage economic war on Putin in revenge for the invasion. 

The West, led by the United States, has revealed harsh financial penalties on Russia, which has described its attack on Ukraine as a "special operation" aimed at dismantling the Kyiv "junta", apprehending dangerous nationalists, and destroying Ukraine's military.

Russia is largely anticipated to respond harder over the air ban and other measures. It has already replied to the first European airspace prohibitions with its own edicts prohibiting airlines from the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and Poland from flying.

Experts warn that without access to Russia's airspace, airlines would have to shift flights south while also avoiding areas of conflict in the Middle East, which will add substantial time and expense.

Taking to Twitter, French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said, "France is shutting its airspace to all Russian aircraft and airlines from this evening on. To the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe responds with total unity."

France is shutting its airspace to all Russian aircraft and airlines from this evening on. To the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe responds with total unity.

— Jean-Baptiste Djebbari (@Djebbari_JB) February 27, 2022

Earlier, Germany's transport ministry said that, with the exception of humanitarian relief flights, it will block airspace to Russian planes and carriers for three months beginning Sunday.

Canada also said on Sunday that it will immediately close its airspace to Russian aircraft.

 "It does not operate to destinations in either Ukraine or Russia, and at all times, we comply with all airspace restrictions per Transport Canada and the FAA (U.S. Federation Avian Administration)," Air Canada was quoted by Reuters in its report.

Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland made similar statements, joining Britain, Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Romania in declaring closures. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are also limiting their airspace to Russian planes.

"It is now absolutely necessary to proceed with further touch measures to isolate Russia," Swedish EU Minister Hans Dahlgren told public service radio SR.

Timo Harakka, Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications, said in a tweet late Saturday that Finland, which shares a lengthy land border with Russia, was planning a similar closure.

(With Inputs From Reuters)