The Russian government’s statement came as Russian airlines have been banned from entering the airspace of almost all European countries. The list also includes Jersey and Gibraltar (a British overseas territory).
The flight ban is expected to hurt airlines along with making ticket prices higher because of long detours on some routes. The airlines are likely to find new routes given the present situation.
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, also known as Rosaviatsiya, said that flights from such nations could in exceptional circumstances be allowed only if they get special clearance from the country’s aviation authority or foreign ministry.
The 36 banned nations include Albania, Anguilla, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, British Virgin Islands, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Jersey, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.