Due to the closure of the airspace, the Russian aircraft had to make a 3-hour circle

The closure of airspace to Russia over the European Union is forcing Russian airlines to come up with alternative routes to avoid restrictions, which increases flight times and increases operating costs. Writes about it Business Insider.

Photo: Shutterstock

The EU has closed its airspace to "any aircraft owned, chartered or otherwise controlled by a Russian entity or individual" as part of sweeping sanctions designed to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine.

Russian flag carrier Aeroflot was one of the first airlines to feel the impact of the airspace closure. On February 27, the airline took off on a flight from Belgrade, Serbia, to Moscow, which normally flies north through Eastern Europe to its destination in Russia.

On the subject: Airbus and Boeing refused to work with Russia: this puts almost the entire civil aviation of the country at risk

However, according to the data FlightRadar24, due to recent EU airspace restrictions, the aircraft had to fly around Bulgaria and Turkey to enter Russian airspace. This detour resulted in a flight time of 5 hours and 45 minutes, three hours longer than a normal flight of two and a half hours.

Aeroflot flight # SU2091 returned from Belgrade to Moscow, via… Kazakhstan. Flight time 5h 45min instead of previous 2h 35min. https://t.co/PXoycTIhvn pic.twitter.com/AM9t0peg5w

- Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 27, 2022

Meanwhile, Sydney-based Qantas has rerouted its flight from Australia to London, flying over the Middle East and Southern Europe instead of Russia. In addition, British Airways has adjusted its route from New Delhi to London, increasing flight times by one hour.

Although US carriers do not fly to Russian or Ukrainian airports, they have had to adjust some of their routes in the region. United Airlines has told employees it will stop using Russian airspace on flights to and from India.

Detours increase the cost of fuel, labor and maintenance, which could lead to higher passenger and freight rates, analysts say.

New York-based aviation consultant Robert Mann said rerouting passenger planes could cost airlines $4 to $000 an hour.

For example, the cargo division of German carrier Lufthansa said it had to carry 20% less cargo due to longer flight times. Currently, the carrier avoids Russian airspace by flying to the south of the country.

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“Some routes will simply become unprofitable or impractical,” Mann explained.

Instead of rerouting, some carriers have decided to suspend flights. London-based Virgin Atlantic Airways has temporarily suspended cargo services between London and Shanghai, Finnair has stopped flights to airports in Japan, China and South Korea, and Singapore Airlines has stopped flights to Moscow, according to the WSJ.

Airspace closures could also impact aircraft lessors who need to reclaim aircraft stranded in Russia. The EU has required leasing companies to terminate their contracts with Russian airlines by March 28, meaning that those planes must be returned to their foreign owners.

However, Russian carriers and the Russian government can put up obstacles to turn the task into a logistical nightmare.

“Perhaps the government could decide to challenge the lessors’ ability to get these planes back by saying that Aeroflot does no harm by operating the planes domestically,” Henry Harteveldt, an analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, told Insider.

“Who will fly on these planes from Russia? How will airlines bring their Russian pilots home? - he continued. “All logistics must be worked out.”

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• On the night of February 24 began full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine.
• In the light of these events in Russia and around the world, protests against the invasion of Ukraine
• US and UK imposed broad economic sanctions against Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.
• February 25 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table. Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin is ready to send a delegation to Minsk (Belarus) for negotiations with Kiev. He specified that the delegation will include representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presidential administration.
• In the USA there were large-scale rallies in support of Ukraine.
• Pope Francis visits the Russian Embassy February 25, to personally "express his concerns about the war" in Ukraine, which made an unprecedented deviation from diplomatic protocol.
• European Union, USA and UK imposed sanctions and froze the assets of Putin and Lavrov.
• The United States declared its readiness to start accept refugees from Ukraine.
• February 26, the world famous and one of the most popular groups of hackers Anonymous recorded a video message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. They promised to find all "skeletons in the closet" and "leave no stone unturned".
• As it became known, the Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Sean Penn is located in Ukraine and is making a documentary for Vice about events in the country.
• February 28 The world's largest aircraft An-225 was destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it caused alarm and sadness among the aviation world, in which it occupies an almost cult status.
• On the same day, the United States and France called on their citizens immediately consider leaving Russia.
• From the very beginning of the invasion, many actions took place around the world in support of Ukraine. How it was in the USA, see our material.
• On March 1, the United States asked 12 Russian diplomats from the United Nations leave the US accusing them of "espionage activities" as Russia continues its advance into Ukraine.
• March 2 Russian businessman Alex Konanykhin offered $1 million reward for dead or alive Putin.
• Airbus and Boeing refused to work with Russia, this endangers almost the entire civil aviation of the country.
• March 3 CEO and founder of the Russian TV channel "Rain" announced the suspension of the channel. This is due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• Which of the Hollywood stars supported Ukraine, and who was on the side of Russia, read here.
• What Russians living in Ukraine say about the war, you can find out in our material.
• Which companies left Russia and how it hit the economy, read on link.
• Where Ukrainian citizens can receive special services in Poland - according to link.
• The US State Department has warned citizens of Ukraine that the US Mission in Ukraine does not currently offer visa services. That's it services provided in Germany.

Read also on ForumDaily:

How to help Ukraine: 22 effective ways

The US Embassy in Poland provides Ukrainians with special services

US Secret Agent Tips: How to Survive Extreme Situations

Life hacks from a flight attendant: 10 things you should not do during a flight

In tablets and liquid: how to take the medicines you need on the plane and avoid problems during security

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