The Russian airline Aeroflot withdrew from the sale of tickets destinations in Cuba, Mexico and the United States due to the prohibition of the European Union for the use of airspace by companies from this country.
According to the website of the Association of Russian Tour Operators (Atorus), the flagship line does not include in its sales for the next few days trips to Havana, in Cuba, Cancun, in Mexico, and the American cities of New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
Aeroflot’s Internet platform does not show available flights to the Cuban capital until March 29 and in the case of the Mexican resort until March 27. In the case of Cancun until March 27 there will be no availability.
Tickets for upcoming flights to New York, Los Angeles and Miami are also not for sale on the website of the major Russian airline.
On the online departure board at Sheremetyevo airport, the flight to Los Angeles this Monday appears canceled, while there are no flights to New York and Miami scheduled for March 1.
However, on the ticket sales platform it is still formally possible to buy a ticket to New York for March 4, 5 and 6.
Experts note that given the unpredictability of the situation, the closure of Canadian skies, and generally low travel demand, travel on dates that are still listed as available may be cancelled.
Several flights to Belgrade, the Serbian capital, were also suspended, but to Asian destinations they were not canceled, since next week there are five to Phuket and four to Bangkok, in Thailand.
The programs for Turkey and Egypt have not yet been adjusted, Atorus said.
Yesterday, at a press conference, the head of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, announced the total closure of the airspace of the member countries of the community block for aircraft “owned by Russia, registered in Russia or controlled by Russia”.
In his words, these planes will not be able to land, take off or fly over the territory of the EU and the restriction applies to all aircraft, including private ones.
The decision is part of the punitive measures applied against Russia after the start of the military operation by Moscow in Ukraine on February 24 in response to the request for support from the leaders of the Donbass republics, given the increase in attacks by Kiev.
