Russian bans British airlines from landing and flying over its airspace

Russia on Friday banned all British airlines from landing at its airports as well as flying over its airspace. The move comes in retaliation to the United Kingdom’s decision on Thursday to ban Russian flag carrier – commonly known as Aeroflot, from using its airspace.

In an official statement, Rosaviatsia aviation authority – the federal air transport agency of the Russia, said that the restriction on UK-linked flights was imposed “as a response to unfriendly decisions of the UK aviation authorities,” according to AFP.

The ban is applicable to aircrafts “owned, leased or operated by an organisation” connected to or registered in Britain. The restriction took effect from 0800 GMT (1.30pm IST), AFP reported.