Criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in UK

The British government announced new legislation on Wednesday which makes it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in the UK, as part of a new suite of aviation sanctions to strengthen the overflight and landing ban already in place in response to President Vladimir Putin ordering a military offensive against Ukraine.

The extended ban includes any aircraft owned, operated or chartered by anyone connected with Russia or designated individuals or entities, and will include the power to detain any aircraft owned by persons connected with Russia. The new powers will also allow the government to remove aircraft belonging to designated Russian individuals and entities from the UK aircraft register.