The European Union's sixteenth sanctions package creates a legal basis for sanctioning third-country airlines that operate domestic flights in Russia. This refers to flights that operate between Russian cities.
"The EU's 16th sanctions package provides for the possibility of including in the sanctions list those third-country airlines that perform domestic flights in Russia or supply aviation products to Russian airlines or for domestic flights. This measure aims to act against operators who help Russia reduce the impact of EU aviation sanctions.
If such airlines are included in the sanctions list, they will be banned from flying to the EU," - states the information published by the European Commission.
According to Russian Interfax, currently, only Russian airlines have the right to operate domestic flights in Russia. However, the Russian Ministry of Transport has stated that it is possible to issue permits for domestic flights to foreign airlines.
