New EU Sanctions Target Airlines Operating Domestic Flights In Russia

The European Union's 16th sanctions package against Russia banned third-country airlines flying domestically in Russia from entering the EU. It also included a ban on primary aluminium imports and gaming console sales and lists a cryptocurrency exchange and vessels evading sanctions. Russia may allow foreign airlines to operate domestic flights due to aircraft shortages caused by sanctions,

The European Commission said on Monday that the EU's latest sanctions against Moscow include a ban on third-country airlines flying to the 27-nation bloc if they carry out domestic flights in Russia. The EU's 16th sanctions package against Russia consists of a ban on primary aluminium importers and the sale of gaming consoles. At the same time, it listed a cryptocurrency exchange and dozens of vessels of the so-called shadow fleet used to evade sanctions.

Russian authorities are exploring allowing airlines from other countries to operate domestic flights between Russian airports to deal with a shortage of aircraft caused by Western sanctions. "The package extends the flight ban to enable the listing of third-country carriers conducting domestic flights within Russia or supplying aviation goods to Russian airlines or for domestic flights in Russia," the European Commission said. If listed, these airlines will not be allowed to fly to the EU."

Russia's Ministry of Transport declined to comment on the EU measures. Last October, Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit said Moscow was in talks with some cultural Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, for their airlines to run domestic flights in Russia. Russian airlines mainly use Western aircraft, delivered before the war in Ukraine, and are struggling to meet the growing demand for air travel as sanctions hinder access to parts. Plans to supply domestically made airlines are constantly being postponed.

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