European airspace is closed to Russian aircraft

After procrastinating somewhat, France decided to close its airspace in turn “To Russian Airlines and Aircraft” As of Sunday, February 27 in the evening. With this decision, the French authorities are following in the footsteps of many European countries, which chose to ban their flights over the planes of Russian companies, in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.

Thus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Bulgaria, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Moldova, or even the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg had already, in a second stage, issued a decision to close their airspace. Before deciding to adopt the same procedure, France stated that it was studying “the principle of closing its airspace”, The first to appeal “For a quick European coordination on the matter.” “To the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe responds with complete unity”Minister Delegate for Transport Jean-Baptiste Jabbari announced, Sunday, on Twitter.

Soon after France, it was the European Union that proposed closing the skies of the Old Continent to Russian aircraft. We suggest [aux Vingt-Sept] To ban all Russian-owned aircraft registered in Russia or controlled by Russian interests. They will no longer be able to land, take off or fly over EU territory.” asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Earlier on Sunday, after a meeting organized at the beginning of the afternoon, the Air France group announced that ” [avait] decided to suspend service and overflights over Russia from February 27 until further notice “. Scale includes “Suspending flights to and from Moscow and Saint Petersburg, from Sunday morning until further notice”the airline said.

Negative consequences for fuel consumption

In response, Russia also decided to ban overflights over its territory. This forces European airlines to revise their flight schedules, especially to Asia. Air France chose A Temporary suspension of flights to and from China, Korea and Japan. The company wants to give “The time has come to study options for the flight plan to avoid Russian airspace, in compliance with the directives of the French and international authorities.”.

It must be said that bypassing Russia from the north, or more likely from the south, to serve China or Japan, will force companies to adjust their course. “The world is Gruyere. It becomes zigzag to avoid flying over restricted areas. After Iran, Iraq, Mali, then Crimea and Donbass, it is Russia’s turn.”the long-haul pilot of Air France worries.

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