MOSCOW – A ban has been imposed on British airlines from landing at airports across Russia and from using its airspace tension between West and Moscow continues to heighten due to military operation in Ukraine.
Russian civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said in a statement 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.”
On Thursday, the Boris Johnson’s government banned Russia’s national airline Aeroflot from landing in Britain as it introduced sanctions against Russia for attacking 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.”
British Airways has apologised to its customers for inconvenience, saying it will offer full refund to the passengers.
British Airways normally operates three weekly flights between London and Moscow.
