List of 30 airlines that continue to fly in Russian airspace

Airlines and passengers still flying over Russia have been warned by Ukraine’s president that the skies are “completely unsafe”.

Vladimir Zelensky deemed Russian airspace unsafe, warning airlines ahead of Ukrainian drone attacks last Tuesday.

“We want to warn every airline using Russian airspace, every insurer and everyone who still uses key Russian airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe,” he said.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the spring of 2022, most major Western carriers suspended flights over Russia, rerouting flights in its airspace.

The airspace is currently closed to some 35 countries and territories in response to a ban on all Russian aircraft using EU airspace, as well as other international restrictions.

Ukraine has also kept its airspace closed to civil aviation since the start of the conflict.

However, some airlines – mainly Chinese, Turkish and Gulf states – still operate flights through Russia or to destinations there.

Russian airlines such as Aeroflot and Jetica continue to operate some international flights.

According to Qatar Airways, which flies to Moscow, “flight planning and operational decisions are made based on careful and ongoing monitoring of airspace safety, security assessments and geopolitical developments in close coordination with relevant authorities.”

The airline said: “We are constantly assessing all available information and adapting our operations as necessary.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga said on X that Ukraine has formally notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the risk to civil aviation in Russian airspace to prevent “unintentional incidents.”

On Tuesday, ICAO renewed its calls for stronger commitments by all member states to protect civil aircraft from all risks arising in conflict zones.

Flightradar24 data showed some delays on Monday at Moscow’s main Sheremetyevo airport and St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport.

ICAO said: “ICAO observes an increased risk of civilian aircraft being targeted or caught in crossfire, and while the aviation industry can reroute flights and support operations during conflicts, such operational flexibility does not address the fundamental security threat.”

Here are the airlines operating regular flights using Russian airspace.

Read more: The last Ukrainian-Russian war

Which airlines still fly in Russian airspace?

Asia and Middle East

Africa

Europe

Read more: What Zelensky’s threat to Russian airspace means for the future of war and air travel