Ukraine seeks international ban on civilian flights over Russia

Ukraine has called on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to impose a complete ban on civil aviation flights over Russian territory.

In a letter to ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk warned of high risks to passenger aircraft due to ongoing hostilities, as well as the use of air defence and electronic warfare systems by the Russian military, Caliber.Az reports.

The Ukrainian side noted that it closed its airspace on the night of February 24, 2022, while Russia continued operating flights despite the risks to aviation safety. Russia, meanwhile, has continued to allow commercial flights over much of its territory despite the risks to aviation safety.

Western carriers largely stopped using Russian airspace in response to reciprocal bans and sanctions, but some airlines from China, Türkiye, the UAE and other countries have continued overflights, particularly on long-haul Asia-Europe routes.

ICAO has repeatedly condemned Russia for violations of the Chicago Convention, including the 2014 downing of MH17 and ongoing issues such as dual aircraft registration and GNSS interference originating from Russian territory. 

The latest Ukrainian appeal to ICAO follows President Zelenskyy’s public warnings that intensified Ukrainian drone operations inside Russia are making Russian airspace increasingly unsafe for civilian aircraft.

By Jeyhun Aghazada