Lufthansa won’t use Russian airspace until 2023

German airline Lufthansa will not use Russian airspace until March 25, 2023, should from the carrier’s statement. At the same time, Russian airspace is already closed to aircraft from Western countries, including Germany.

“Lufthansa will not use Russian airspace until March 25, 2023 due to the current regulatory situation. For this reason, all flights Lufthansa to and from Russia during this period should be canceled,” the message says.

The company noted that they are closely monitoring the development of the situation and maintain close contacts with national and international authorities. Lufthansa also extends the suspension of flights with Ukraine until the same date.

After the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, flights by Russian airlines throughout the airspace of the European Union, Great Britain and a number of other countries were suspended. The ban affected all aircraft, including private business jets. In response, Russia banned aircraft from 37 countries from flying over its territory: 28 EU member states, as well as Albania, Anguilla, Britain, the British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Jersey, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.

Foreign airlines are forced to spend more than $37.5 million a week to bypass Russian airspace, the Russian Ministry of Transport reported in March. Additional costs are borne by carriers of 19 countries, including the USA, Canada, Great Britain and other states.

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