National

EU and Canada ban Russian flights over Europe over Ukraine crisis

Darpan News Desk IANS, 28 Feb, 2022 12:02 PM

Brussels, Feb 28 (IANS) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that the European Union awould shut its airspace to Russian airlines in response to its "special military operation" in Ukraine since early Thursday.

"We are shutting down the EU airspace for Russians," Von der Leyen said in a statement on Sunday, "We are proposing a prohibition on all Russian-owned, registered or controlled aircraft."

"These aircraft will no more be able to land in, take off or overfly the territory of the EU," she said, adding that the ban would "apply to any plane owned, chartered or otherwise controlled by a Russian legal or natural person."

"So let me be very clear. Our airspace will be closed to every Russian plane -- and that includes the private jets of oligarchs," she stressed.

Canada is also part of this mission. Transport Canada Minister Omar Algahbra tweeted regarding a similar measure.

Effective immediately, Canada’s airspace is closed to all Russian aircraft operators. We will hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked attacks against Ukraine.
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) February 27, 2022

Earlier on Sunday, France also said it would shut down its airspace to Russian airlines and Russian registered aircraft, French national airline Air France announced on its website to suspend flights to and from Russia, effective from Sunday until further notice, Xinhua news agency reported.

The airline also said the flights between France and China, South Korea and Japan would also be temporarily suspended in order to study flight plan options enabling to avoid Russian airspace. It has prolonged the suspension of flights to Ukraine's capital Kiev until further notice, "following the shutdown of Ukrainian airspace."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Russia cyber warning emerges amid Ukraine crisis

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, a branch of the Communications Security Establishment, said it was "aware of foreign cyber threat activities, including by Russian-backed actors, to target Canadian critical infrastructure network operators, their operational and information technology."

Russia cyber warning emerges amid Ukraine crisis

Canadian troops in Latvia at 'high readiness'

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Lt.-Col. Dan Richel says his 1,000-strong unit, which includes about 350 Canadian soldiers, is trained and equipped to help defend Latvian territory in the event of an attack.

Canadian troops in Latvia at 'high readiness'

Man shot in Guildford residence

On January 20, 2022, at 1:44 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to the report of a man shot inside a residence in the 8700-block of 152 Street. Police arrived on scene and located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Man shot in Guildford residence

Boycott leaves security panel with no Tory MPs

The government says Liberal MPs Patricia Lattanzio and James Maloney are joining the committee, filling spots most recently held by Conservatives Leona Alleslev and Rob Morrison.

Boycott leaves security panel with no Tory MPs

Avalanche warning for B.C. and Alberta backcountry

A special avalanche warning has been posted for recreational backcountry users in several regions of B.C. and Alberta as warm temperatures make the snowpack unstable. Avalanche Canada and Parks Canada have issued the advisory to take effect immediately and last through to Monday.

Avalanche warning for B.C. and Alberta backcountry

Russia faces severe sanctions over Ukraine: Joly

Russia has positioned about 100,000 troops across Ukraine's borders along with tanks and other heavy artillery, stoking fears across Europe of an invasion, but Russia has denied it intends to do that.