Russia says civil aviation will continue despite airspace safety concerns

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

Following warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Ukrainian drone strikes made Russian airspace unsafe, Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin pledged to maintain civil aviation operations by coordinating with the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization of these safety concerns, while Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports experienced dozens of flight cancellations and delays. Although Western carriers ceased flying over Russia in 2022, the airspace remains utilized by airlines from China, Turkey, the UAE, and other Gulf states.

Consequences

Airlines such as flydubai and Pegasus Airlines have begun adjusting flight schedules and cancelling some services to Russia due to operational and safety assessments. If drone strikes near major hubs like Moscow and St. Petersburg persist through 2026 as predicted by aviation risk advisory firm Osprey Flight Solutions, international carriers may face continued, dynamic disruptions to their flight paths and operational certainty.

Sources

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