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Ukraine invasion: More countries issue airspace ban on Russian planes Ukraine invasion: Russian planes face near-total airspace ban to west
(about 16 hours later)
Several European nations have closed their airspace to Russian flights, as Moscow faces rising pressure over the invasion of Ukraine. Russian airlines face a near-total airspace blockade to the country's west after an EU official said most European countries are set to impose flight bans.
Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia and Romania said on Saturday they were banning some flights from Russia. A formal decision is expected on the measure shortly.
Russia earlier said it would close its airspace to flights from Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic after they issued a ban on Russian jets. Finland, which borders Russia, Denmark and Austria said on Sunday they would implement bans.
Meanwhile, Russian-owned planes can no longer enter UK airspace. With airspace curbs over Ukraine, Russian flights now have few route options for westbound journeys.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas urged other European Union countries to issue similar restrictions on Twitter, adding: "There is no place for planes of the aggressor state in democratic skies." Russia has responded with tit-for-tat restrictions for many of the countries banning its flights.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa quoted Kallas's tweet saying that "Slovenia will do the same". Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Romania said on Saturday they were banning some flights from Russia.
And Latvian Transport Minister Talis Linkaits also said on Twitter that "Latvia will close its airspace to Russian-registered airlines for commercial flights," adding that the decision would be formally approved at the next cabinet meeting. They joined Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic in implementing curbs - and Russia has banned flights in retaliation.
The restriction on Russian flights over large swathes of eastern Europe will require Russian airlines to take circuitous routes. Meanwhile, Russian-owned planes, including private jets, can no longer enter UK and Irish airspace.
One Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Budapest on Saturday logged a flight time about 75 minutes longer than usual, according to the Flightradar24 tracking website, with a route avoiding Poland. Is Russia's invasion going as expected?
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Finland, which shares an 800 mile (1,300km) border with Russia, "is preparing to close its airspace to Russian air traffic," Transport Minister Timo Harakka wrote on Twitter.
Austrian minister Leonore Gewessler said the country supported an EU-wide ban but in the meantime would immediately ban all Russian air traffic.
Denmark's foreign minister Jeppe Kofod said on Twitter that the country would close its airspace and push for an EU-wide ban.
More EU countries are expected to announce bans on Russian airlines in their airspace on Sunday
The restriction on flights over many of the countries to Russia's west will require its airlines to take circuitous routes, resulting in longer flight times.
Finland's decision may leave the Gulf of Finland - around 74 miles (120km) wide at its broadest point - as the only viable passage for Russian planes travelling to European countries that have yet to ban flights.
Commercial airlines are also avoiding airspace around Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus following Russia's invasion.Commercial airlines are also avoiding airspace around Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus following Russia's invasion.
In the United States, Delta Air Lines said it would suspend a code-sharing agreement with Russia's Aeroflot. In the United States, Delta Air Lines said it would suspend a flight booking agreement with Russia's Aeroflot.
The UK's ban on Russian flights, including Aeroflot planes and private jets, led Moscow to retaliate with a similar curb on British planes. The UK's ban on Russian flights led Moscow to retaliate with a similar curb on British planes.
Virgin Atlantic said avoiding Russia would add between 15 minutes and an hour to its flights between the UK and India and Pakistan.Virgin Atlantic said avoiding Russia would add between 15 minutes and an hour to its flights between the UK and India and Pakistan.
Australian airline Qantas said it would use a longer route for its direct flight between Darwin and London that does not overfly Russia.
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