Delta Airlines has severed ties with Russia’s Aeroflot as the United States puts financial pressure on the Kremlin to Vladimir Putin‘s invasion of Ukraine.
“Delta has withdrawn our code-sharing services, which work with Russia’s national airline Aeroflot, into effect immediately,” an Atlanta-based airline said in a corporate statement.
Delta does not fly directly to Russia or Ukraine, but the code-sharing agreement meant that Delta and Aeroflot customers could use each airline’s website to book flights with any carrier, making traveling between the US and Russia a lot. easier.
“We removed our code from the services operated by Aeroflot outside Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and removed the code from Aeroflot from the services operated by Delta from Los Angeles and New York-JFK. “Accommodation will be provided for customers affected by these changes,” Delta said in a statement.
RECOGNIZED: Atlanta-based Delta Airlines has cut ties with Russia’s Aeroflot. KLM Dutch Airlines, a partner of Delta, has also limited its services in Russia
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday banned Aeroflot from landing in Heathrow or other airports in the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday banned Aeroflot from landing in Heathrow or other airports in the United Kingdom.
Aeroflot operates direct flights from Moscow to four cities in the United States, New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Miami.
There was still a reservation for these destinations.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which is partnering with Delta, told CNBC that it had canceled a flight.
“At the moment, we have decided, given the precarious situation, not to allow our crew to stay overnight in Russia,” the statement said. “Therefore, it is not possible to make the night flight to Moscow, so we canceled it.”
Russia’s Federal Transport Agency, known as Rosaviatsia, has said that British airlines are banned from entering Russian airspace.
“This measure was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Air Services between Russia and the United Kingdom in response to unfriendly decisions by the United Kingdom aviation authorities regarding the restriction of scheduled flights of aircraft owned, leased or operated by a Russia or registered in Russia, “the agency said in a statement.
Delta Airlines does not fly directly to Ukraine or Russia
This means that flights from Europe to Asia will take much longer and will be more expensive due to diversion and additional fuel costs.
Flights to the Far East used to be the most direct route – over the frozen wastelands of Siberia. But escalating tensions mean they have to fly over the Middle East on a longer route that burns more fuel and is likely to raise ticket prices.
The flight ban will also cost the Russian airline, according to aviation analyst Alex Macheras.
United stars Edinson Cavani (left) and Nemanja Matic (right) in the photo of an Aeroflot flight
Earlier, Manchester United changed flights with the Russian state airline Aeroflot and now cancels its sponsorship agreement in light of the invasion of Ukraine
European countries pay up to $ 420 million for the overflight fee, he said, most of that money goes to subsidize Aeroflot’s operations.
“Russian airspace is one of the most expensive in the world (for flying) and airlines pay the Russian government * a lot * for its use, so Russia is losing here as well,” Maceras wrote on Twitter on Friday.
“Airlines that pay for the use of Russian airspace (Siberian Corridor) for overflight are also financially supporting Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline, which has been earning steady revenue from similar overflight fees paid by foreign airlines for years.”
Alaska’s Anchorage Airport told Reuters it had begun receiving inquiries Thursday about its ability to operate additional flights.
Airlines often used the Arctic airport for refueling during the Cold War, when Russian airspace was also banned.
Also Friday, Aeroflot received the shoe from British football team Manchester United, which withdrew from a $ 53 million sponsorship for the remaining 18 months.
“In light of the events in Ukraine, we have revoked Aeroflot’s sponsorship rights,” a spokesman for the team said.
Boris Johnson says Putin has “chosen the path of bloodshed and destruction” in Ukraine after launching “horrific attacks” on his neighbor
“We share the concerns of our fans around the world and express our condolences to those affected.”
The football club plans to paint the Aeroflot logo on Old Trafford, the stadium where the team plays.
The team’s last flight would be on Tuesday for the Champions League playoffs against Atletico Madrid, but was canceled due to the invasion.
The Russian airline is not the only war-torn trade. On Friday, President Joe Biden announced sanctions directly against Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in addition to the ban on banking.
“In line with the decision of our European allies, the United States will join them in sanctioning President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and members of Russia’s national security team,” said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
She said additional sanctions would be imposed, including a travel ban.
The move will be largely symbolic, as it remains unclear where Putin’s money is and how much.
Bloomberg notes that Putin’s latest financial revelation reveals that his annual income is about 10 million rubles ($ 120,050) and he owns three cars and an apartment.
But there are also reports that Putin owns a $ 100 million superyacht. And that its value is estimated at $ 200 billion.
Earlier on Friday, Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Vladimir Green for about 40 minutes.
Zelenski said the two discussed tougher sanctions against Russia and more support from the United States.
“Strengthening sanctions, concrete defense assistance and the anti-war coalition have just been discussed with @POTUS. Grateful to [United States] for the strong support for [Ukraine]He wrote Twitter.
Zelensky demanded that Putin be directly sanctioned
