Russia closes its airspace to British airlines from today, in response to a similar measure taken by London, the Federal Air Transport Agency said today, quoted by Lusa.

The agency, in a statement, explained that today "a restriction has been introduced on the use of Russian Federation airspace for flights by aircraft owned, leased or operated by a person associated with or registered in the United Kingdom for flights to the territory of the Russian Federation, including transit flights through Russian Federation airspace."

This measure, according to the statement was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Air Services between Russia and the UK "in response to hostile decisions" by the UK Aviation Authorities relating to the restriction of scheduled flights of Russian aircraft.

The Federal Air Transport Agency, said on Thursday it had sent London a proposal for consultation, relating to flights between the two countries, in accordance with the rules of international law.

"This morning, a negative response was received from colleagues in the UK. This is the basis for the adoption by Russia of mirror measures (...) to comply with the principle of parity and equal rights of airlines," justifies

As a result of the British measure, the Russian airline Aeroflot has suspended all flights to London and Dublin until May 23, according to Interfax news agency.

Source: Lusa