US blocks airspace for all Russian aircraft

The US move comes shortly after Europe and Canada closed their airspace to Russian aircraft.

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Intensifying punitive action on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the US has barred all Russian aircraft and airlines from accessing its airspace.

The US Department of Transportation and its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and regulatory orders in this regard.

Under these orders, operations will be halted for aircraft that are ‘owned, certified, operated, registered, chartered, leased, or controlled by’ or benefit a person who is a Russian citizen.

This will be applicable to all passenger and cargo flights, as well as scheduled and charter flights.

With the issuance of this order, all Russian commercial air carriers and other Russian civil aircraft will be prohibited from using or entering the US airspace.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said: “The United States stands with our allies and partners across the world in responding to Putin’s unprovoked aggression against the people of Ukraine.”

These orders have come into effect from 2 March 2022.

The US move comes shortly after Europe and Canada shut their airspace to Russian airlines.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “First, we are shutting down the EU airspace for Russians. We are proposing a prohibition on all Russian-owned, Russian registered or Russian-controlled aircraft.

“These aircraft will no more be able to land in, take off or overfly the territory of the EU. This will apply to any plane owned, chartered or otherwise controlled by a Russian legal or natural person. Our airspace will be closed to every Russian plane and that includes the private jets of oligarchs.”