In tit-for-tat move, Russia closes airspace to British flights, including transit

In retaliation for a British ban on Russian flights in its airspace, Russia has closed its airspace to British air carriers, including transit flights, Russian authorities announced.

Rosaviation, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, said in a statement that they had sought consultations with British authorities over the restrictions imposed Thursday on Russian flights in UK airspace – imposed as part of sanctions after Russia launched an intervention into Ukraine – but this was refused.

The ban on British flights applies to “flights of aircraft owned, leased or operated by a person associated with the United Kingdom or registered in the United Kingdom to points on the territory of the Russian Federation, including transit flights through the airspace of the Russian Federation," and went into effect at 11 am Moscow time (0800GMT) Friday, Rosaviation said.

On Thursday, Britain notified Russia of restrictions on the flights of Russian airlines in UK airspace as a part of new sanctions.

Rosaviation slammed the decision, saying it violates an agreement between Russia and Britain providing for cooperation "on all issues necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of contractual lines," and holding consultations "in case of any difficulties in the operation of these lines."

The agreement also stipulates that the airlines of the two countries "will be granted fair and equal rights to operate contractual routes."