A blow from the sky? Air Boycott on Russia Expands | Israel today

2022-02-27T13:36:00.648Z

Many European countries have declared that they will not allow Russian companies to fly over their territory, in a move that has enormous economic significance • On the other hand, the Russians respond with the same currency • Those who may pay the price are usually consumers •

France, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Britain, the Czech Republic and other EU member states have closed and are expected to close the airspace to Russian planes.

This is one of the hardest blows that could have landed on Russia, as the Russian airline - supported by the local government - and other airlines like S7 and other companies are considered a strategic asset for the Russians.

Aeroflot is largely owned by the Russian government and is considered one of the largest and most powerful airlines in the world with about 250 aircraft in the company's fleet.

Smoke rises after shelling in Kiev // Photo: Reuters

The decision to close the airspace to Russian planes, in fact, closes most of the options for Russian airlines to fly west and prolongs their way to destinations that still allow them to pass through and land on them.

This is an economic blow that is reflected on several levels, as the roads are getting longer and so in fact the costs of operating the planes are rising significantly, the ticket prices of the airline may rise as a result of the ban on flying on so many routes.

Thus, in fact, a situation has arisen in which the Russian airline may be considered the least attractive to almost anyone who wants to leave Russia.

Airspace over Ukraine, Photo: From Flight Radar

On the other hand, Russia is taking similar steps and will not allow airlines from those countries to pass through its territory.

Russia is the largest country in the world in its territory and it covers a vast area that is a route with quite a few airlines in the transition between East and West.

Many European airlines fly east through Russia and now they will have to fly in alternative routes, which in this case too could raise flight prices, lengthen the journey and change the world aviation map.

Following the war between Russia and Ukraine, fuel prices may rise and this too may affect the prices of airline tickets worldwide.

As the current situation worsens and worsens, we are likely to see an increase in fuel prices, an increase in airline ticket prices and other changes in the aviation industry that may also affect countries close to Russia, given such and other threats, airline closures and boycotts of airlines.

It is still unclear whether Israel will join the restrictions on Russian airlines.

If such a thing happens, it is likely that Russia will decide to act in the same way and in fact Israeli airlines may also be directly affected by the fighting situation in Russia.

The sky above Ukraine is almost completely empty of aircraft traffic and so in fact Russia's restrictions on large airlines in Europe, join the Ukrainian territory that can not be flown over.

As a result - a very significant area from Europe and Asia is closed to flights by quite a few airlines with the assessment that the trend will expand later, as the war develops.