Focus

Czechs, Poland, Bulgaria to close airspace to Russian flights

26 Feb 2022 09:48am
Photo for representational purpose only - Source: 123rf
Photo for representational purpose only - Source: 123rf

WARSAW - The Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria each said Friday they would close their airspace to flights by Russian carriers in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, starting from midnight.

Earlier Friday the Polish airline LOT had already halted flights to Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

"As of midnight today, we are halting the traffic of all Russian airline companies in Czech airspace," Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka tweeted.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Facebook that Poland was also preparing such a resolution.

"The ban will apply from midnight," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller later said on Twitter.

A similar decision also came into force in Bulgaria at midnight (2200 GMT) over "the worsening military conflict and in solidarity with Ukraine."

Russian aeroplanes "may no longer enter sovereign Bulgarian airspace, including over its territorial waters," according to a ministry of Transport statement.

It follows the British government's decision on Thursday to ban Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot from flying over the UK.

Related Articles:

Moscow responded Friday by banning all UK-linked planes, including transiting flights, from Russian airspace.

Meanwhile, Moldova said Thursday it was closing its airspace, with all flights redirected to other airports, while Belarus said it was shutting "part" of its airspace. - AFP

Ukraine
Russia
conflict
poland
czech
bulgaria
aviation
More Like This
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
World Trump says may keep TikTok around 'for a little while'
The nation's top court is set to hear arguments on Jan 10 regarding whether the law unconstitutionally limits freedom of speech, in breach of the First Amendment.
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
World Police analysing Yoon's phone records in martial law probe
Police are also working to obtain a secure phone used by Yoon and its records from the Presidential Security Service.
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
World Health warning issued over flesh-eating ulcer in Southeast Australian state
The Department of Health in Victoria on Friday said that cases of Buruli ulcer are spreading across the state, including in inner Melbourne.
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
World US withdrawal from WHO would be 'catastrophic' - Expert
Members of Trump's team told experts of their intention to announce withdrawal from the global health body on the president-elect's Jan 20 inauguration, noting that the departure would remove WHO's biggest source of funds, damaging its ability to respond to public health crises such...