Berlin “blockade” on flights of Russian companies

THE Germany suspended the arrival of flights of Russian companies in its territory, in response because the Russian authorities did not authorize its flights Lufthansa to Russia, the Ministry of Transport announced today.

THE Russian Civil Aviation Authority “did not approve in time” two flights that were to depart this morning and for this reason, on Tuesday night, were canceled according to the announcement sent to the French Agency.

Based on the principle of “reciprocity”, Germany in turn did not approve flights of Russian companies, resulting in the cancellation of Aeroflot and S7 services. “Once the licenses for Lufthansa flights are granted, the approvals for the flights of the Russian companies will be given,” the ministry added.

Lufthansa, however, expects that “the remaining flights (scheduled for June) to Russia will be approved soon.”

Neither the ministry nor the company mentioned the reasons why Moscow did not approve the flight plans.

Two flights were canceled last week by Air France and one by Lufthansa Austrian Airlines because Russia did not approve a change in flight plans aimed at avoiding Belarus airspace.

Most European companies are bypassing Belarusian airspace following the forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft in Minsk, where two of its passengers, an dissident journalist and his partner, were arrested. A Kremlin spokesman said the cancellation of Air France flights was solely due to “technical issues”.

Flights between Europe and Russia “are allowed to use designated airways. “If a company wants to change this course, there must be an agreement in advance between that company and Russia,” according to Eurocontrol, the European Aviation Safety Agency.

You may also like