IAG, parent company of British Airways, announces that it will no longer fly over Russia

“We have taken the decision today to cancel the air link we have to Moscow” and to “redirect flights to Singapore and Delhi so as not to fly over Russia”, general manager Luis Gallego said on Friday during of an investor conference after the publication of the group's results.

"We are monitoring the impact of this crisis on IAG. But the flight capacity we have to the east is very reduced" and "we are able to redirect all the flights we currently operate" he added. .

"We have suspended our flights to Moscow and the use of Russian airspace following confirmation of the Russian government's restrictions," British Airways said in a statement sent to AFP, indicating that it had until here three flights a week to Moscow but none to Ukraine.

"This is clearly an issue beyond our control. We are notifying customers of canceled services and offering a full refund," the company said, saying it was "monitoring the situation closely."

For flights that will now have to avoid Russia, "the change of itinerary may lead to longer flight times", warned British Airways.

The company's decision comes after London imposed sanctions on Russian airline Aeroflot in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russia's return announcement to ban all planes linked to the UK.

IAG's decision comes after London imposed sanctions on Russian airline Aeroflot in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russia's return announcement to ban all planes linked to the Kingdom from its airspace -United Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV AFP/Archives

Russian airspace is barred to all aircraft "owned, leased or operated by anyone connected with Britain" and those registered there, Russian air regulator Rosaviatsia said in a statement on Friday.

The ban concerns not only flights to Russia but also those flying over Russian territory, a key area linking Europe to Asia, the same source said.

The airline group IAG announced on Friday that it had more than halved its net loss in 2021 thanks to the gradual recovery in traffic during the year, and hopes to see its results take off again this year.

Luis Gallego assured that the flights that will have to change their route will not prevent the group from "maintaining the program" of flights that they had planned.

© 2022 AFP