Ukraine — Russia: closed sky

25 Oct 2015 the State aviation service of Ukraine introduces ban on passenger transportation in Ukraine for Russian airlines — for their flights on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula. For its part, the Russian Federation announced the entry of reflex action for air carriers of Ukraine, which will also take effect from 25 October this year.

Thus, since the beginning of winter navigation in the Ukrainian cities will not be able to fly to any Ukrainian or Russian planes, which in fact lead to a complete stop direct passenger air service between Ukraine and Russia.

According to the Ministry of transport sanctions list of 20 Russian airlines banned to fly to Ukraine, became Aeroflot, Transaero, Ural Airlines, Sibir, S7, their subsidiary airlines and some smaller carriers. Under the mutual sanctions with Russia hit the Ukrainian MAU, Motor Sich and Dniproavia, and Yanair, which is planning to open flight on the route Kiev-Moscow-Kiev in the season of winter season 2015-2016.

While not clear situation with the Russian UTair — this airline was not included in the list of the Ministry of transport, and at the moment it is the only carrier, also providing direct flights from Russia to Ukraine, but not under the ban, therefore she tipped the role of the monopolist in this area.

With regard to the refund of the already bought tickets for flights on 25 October and a later date, passengers will be fully refunded the cost of the tickets without charging any penalties.

Additionally, the UIA reports that the plane tickets from Russia to Ukraine can be exchanged without additional cost for tickets to Kiev from Helsinki, Riga, Vilnius and Minsk, and purchased on the date to 24 October 2015 — to pass with a partial refund.

According to representatives of Ukrainian airlines in the sanctions list, after entry into force of the prohibition on air transportation between Ukraine and Russia, most likely, will increase the cost of tickets on other areas — thus the carriers will be forced to compensate the losses from the termination of the series Ukrainian-Russian routes.