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

Canadians support travel rules amid Omicron: Poll

Since the announced detection of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, a new poll suggests Canadians bracing for the worst. More than four in five respondents to an online survey by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies said they support closing the Canadian border to travellers coming from specific countries where the variant is already present.

Canadians support travel rules amid Omicron: Poll

Made-in-Canada COVID drugs show industry rebound

At the outset of the pandemic, Canada's lack of biomanufacturing capability came into sharp focus, and the incapacity to produce COVID-19 vaccines domestically caused some major initial stumbles in the country's early vaccine rollout.

Made-in-Canada COVID drugs show industry rebound

Liberals introduce changes to drug laws

The federal government has introduced a bill in the House of Commons that would repeal mandatory minimum penalties for drug offences and some gun-related crimes. It would allow a judge to exercise discretion in imposing sentences that relate to the facts of the case, including considerations of the individual's experience with systemic racism and whether they pose a risk to public safety.

Liberals introduce changes to drug laws

Storms bring snow warnings for parts of B.C.

Snowfall warnings have been issued for parts of central and northern B.C. Environment Canada predicts 15 to 20 centimetres of snow will fall in the northeast, including the Prince George, Williston, McGregor and Peace River areas, intensifying throughout the day and continuing Tuesday night.

Storms bring snow warnings for parts of B.C.

Vandalism of public washrooms in Surrey parks

Over the last few months, Surrey RCMP have received multiple calls of vandalism to public washroom facilities, particularly in the Cloverdale area. The damage has included smashed toilets, broken doors, partitions, vents, as well as stolen soap dispensers.

Vandalism of public washrooms in Surrey parks

B.C. man charged in girlfriend's death in 2016

A man has been charged with one count of second-degree murder following an investigation into the death of a woman who went missing close to six years ago from Salmon Arm, B.C. The RCMP say Derek Favell has been charged in the death of Ashley Simpson, his girlfriend at the time she disappeared in 2016.