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The Independent Observer > Headlines > European Nations close airspace for Russian planes

European Nations close airspace for Russian planes

Several European nations have closed their airspace to Russian flights, as Moscow faces rising pressure over the invasion of Ukraine.

Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia and Romania said on Saturday they were banning some flights from Russia.

Russia earlier said it would close its airspace to flights from Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic after they issued a ban on Russian jets.

Meanwhile, Russian-owned planes can no longer enter UK airspace.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas urged other European Union countries to issue similar restrictions on Twitter.

The restriction on Russian flights over large swathes of eastern Europe will require Russian airlines to take circuitous routes.BBC

One Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Budapest on Saturday logged a flight time about 75 minutes longer than usual, according to the Flightradar24 tracking website, with a route avoiding Poland.