Turkish airlines have started canceling and postponing flights to Russia due to the situation in Russian airspace.
Modern.az reports that Turkish airline “Pegasus” canceled the flight from Bodrum to Moscow during passenger boarding.
According to tourists, airline representatives linked the decision to the situation in Russian airspace and stated that the Turkish side restricted flights to Russia. Passengers said that airline employees told them, “We don't know what to expect, the Turkish side does not allow flights.”
In total, 77 flights were delayed or canceled at Moscow's three main airports in the last 24 hours.
Most changes were recorded at Sheremetyevo Airport. Here, the flight schedule for 40 flights was disrupted. At Domodedovo, 20 flights were delayed or canceled, and at Vnukovo, 17 flights were delayed or canceled. The longest delay was recorded on a flight from Antalya to Domodedovo. That flight was postponed for more than 9 hours.
The situation in the aviation sector in Russia attracted more attention after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's warning to international airlines. Zelensky informed international air carriers about the increased risks associated with flights in Russian airspace. According to him, Ukraine does not intend to target civilian aircraft. However, he warned that the number of unmanned aerial vehicles in Russian skies would increase and airlines should take this factor into account.
The Russian side, however, announced that serious interruptions in the operation of civil aviation would not be allowed. The Russian Ministry of Transport stated that the relevant authorities are working in coordination to prevent possible threats.
Nevertheless, the situation has already begun to affect international aviation relations. Individual foreign air carriers are canceling or postponing flights to Russia due to the risks in Russian airspace.
Currently, it is unknown how long the situation will last and whether other foreign airlines will also impose restrictions on flights to Russia.
