Russia Allows 29 Airlines to Operate Flights Amid Ukraine War Sanctions

"Despite the restrictions imposed by a number of foreign countries on the use of their airspace, Russian airlines continue to operate international flights. Six Russian air carriers are operating flights to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, the United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan with a total frequency of about 250 flights per week," the Russian Ministry of Transport said in a statement. The latter explains that these airlines are using aircraft that are not at risk of being seized abroad, including 147 Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft, for international flights. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, aircraft, ships and private jets belonging to Russia or Russian oligarchs are being seized by Western judicial systems.

"In addition, 29 airlines from Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Belarus, Venezuela, Israel, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan are operating flights to Russia as of today (Thursday, March 17)," the same source said.

The ministry also informs Russians facing difficulties in returning to Russia that a tracking form has been launched on the Gosuslugi government services portal. "This can be used to send data on their location and information on return tickets, which will allow updating the lists of Russian citizens and helping them to return home," the statement added.