Minister of Transport Tālis Linkaits
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Aivis Vincevs, the head of communications at the Civil Aviation Agency, explained to LTV that the decision to close the airspace to Russian airlines will be political in order to provide support to Ukraine. Namely, these will be sanctions against Russia. The Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) has already begun work to implement it following a government decision.
It is not yet known how much such sanctions could be paid to Latvia. Russia and Ukraine have been large and important destinations. In addition, several aircraft from these countries transit through Riga Airport.
“At the moment, we only have information on how many passengers have bought tickets to Russia at the moment. That’s about 3,000 people who had bought tickets by the end of March, and their travel plans have been suspended,” Vincev said.
Flights to Asian countries also pass through Russia. However, it is too early to judge whether the planned decision would affect these flights as well.
A representative of the CAA confirmed that consultations were being held with partners in Europe and neighboring countries, including a meeting with representatives of Lithuania and Estonia on Saturday, with plans to determine the specific sanctions jointly.
The Latvian national airline airBaltic, meanwhile, has announced that it will suspend flights to and from Russia until March 26.
airBaltic suspends flights to Russia: pic.twitter.com/LX79y9t6UW
– airBaltic (@airBaltic) February 26, 2022
“Due to the increased risks and restrictions, flights to and from Russia will be canceled from February 26, 2022 to March 26, 2022,” the airBaltic said in a statement.
Passengers affected by this decision are invited to check their reservation on the airline’s website for a refund.
Russian airlines are actively using Latvian airspace
Photo: www.flightradar24.com
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On Saturday, Estonian Economy Minister Tāvi Ass also said that Estonia plans to close its airspace to Russian airlines.
“Estonia joins the Polish initiative and ban on Russian airlines use our airspace, ”said Ass.
A decision is currently being prepared, after which the ban on approval will take effect.
“I call on my Baltic colleagues to do the same to exclude Russia from European airspace. Europe must be united and determined in its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Slava to Ukraine! ” said Ace.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonīte said on Saturday that Lithuania would consider taking a similar step.
The Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria, as well as the United Kingdom, have already decided to close the airspace to Russian airlines. In turn, the Polish airline “LOT” has decided to suspend flights to Russia.
Russia, meanwhile, has closed its airspace to planes from Britain, Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic.
The Russian airline Aeroflot also announced that it would cancel flights to Riga by March 26.
“The Civil Aviation Agency has also analyzed what happens if sanctions are imposed on Russia for the whole of Europe and the use of these air routes over Russia is banned. Of course, it is possible to get to Asian countries, but it is longer and more expensive, “said CAA representative Vincev.
In the event that airspace is also closed to incoming Russian mail and cargo aircraft, shipments are likely to be delivered by land.
CONTEXT:
Russian President Vladimir Putin recognizes Donetsk and Luhansk “People’s Republics” on February 21 independence from Ukraine. Putin also threatened Ukraine by demanding that Ukraine immediately cease hostilities against the separatists, “otherwise all responsibility for the possible continued bloodshed will rest entirely with the conscience of the Ukrainian regime.”
On February 24, Putin announcedthat Russia has launched a “military operation” in Ukraine and called on the Ukrainian army to “lay down its arms”. The Russian occupation forces launched an attack on Ukraine, which is fiercely resisting the invaders. The international community strongly condemns Russia’s actions, and new sanctions are being imposed on the Putin regime.
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