European Union countries have decided to ban all Russian airlines from their airspace.
The news was reported as exclusive by Matthias Deiss, a journalist for ARD Capital Studio, a consortium of local stations that broadcasts the first programme of German state television, citing a reliable source in Brussels.
ALL DEVELOPMENTS HERE LETTER BY LETTER
[/P]In a post on Twitter, he wrote:
"EXCLUSIVE: EU countries close airspace to Russian airlines. Just confirmed to me from a reliable source."
[/B][/B]
In fact, European airlines flying over Russian airspace reportedly backed out fearing an immediate Russian response.
The news was also reported by the British express.co.uk, citing the German journalist's post, who added. This means Russia could also close its airspace."
The move - if true - comes after Germany broke a historic policy earlier today when it announced it would send military weapons to help Ukraine.
Several other European countries have made similar announcements, and Russian-owned planes can no longer enter UK airspace.
Several other European countries have made similar announcements, and Russian-owned planes can no longer enter UK airspace.
Estonia, Latvia, Latvia, Slovenia and Romania also said they were banning certain flights from Russia.
For its part, Russia said it would close its airspace to flights from Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic after banning Russian aircraft.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Callas had urged other European Union countries to issue similar restrictions, adding: "There is no place for planes of the aggressor state in democratic skies."
Latvia's transport minister, Talis Linkaits, also said on Twitter that "Latvia will close its airspace to Russian airlines for commercial flights." He added that the decision will be officially approved at the next cabinet meeting.
Berlin will close German airspace to Russian aircraft
Germany is also to close its airspace to Russian aircraft, the federal Ministry of Digital Policy and Transport announced on Saturday evening.
"Federal Minister Volker Wissing is in favor of closing German airspace to Russian aircraft and has instructed that all necessary procedures be carried out for this," the ministry's statement said."
Lufthansa suspends flights to Russia
At the same time, Lufthansa announced that it will no longer fly to Russia and will not use its airspace.
Speaking to the second channel of German public television ZDF, a spokesman for the German airline said that "Lufthansa will not use Russian airspace for the next seven days due to the current and evolving situation."
Flights to Russia are cancelled, and those aircraft already in Russian airspace will leave soon, the spokesman explained.
Earlier, it was reported that two Lufthansa flights, to Tokyo and Seoul, were returning to Germany while flying within the boundaries of Russian airspace.
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