UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps is vowing to hinder Russia's aviation and shipping sectors as the Kremlin faces a US$1.7 billion hit to the economy from closing its airspace to foreign airlines, reports London's Daily Telegraph.
'If they dock their superyachts in the UK, we'll seize them. If they land their private jets here, we'll impound them,' said Mr Shapps.
The comments come as Vladimir Putin's decision to close Russian airspace backfires on the economy.
In 2019, Russia generated $1.7 billion from overflight charges.
Many airlines expect to run a similar number of flights this year as in 2019 following the Covid crisis disruption.
Said Aviation consultant Graham Lake: 'Use of Russian airspace was routine for many flights seeking the shortest routes between parts of Asia and both Europe and North America.
'The loss of that access means that aircraft operators are now using longer alternative routes, usually further south, using more fuel and increasing overall costs,' he said.
British Airways chief Sean Doyle declared that the closure of Russian airspace would have a minimal impact on profits.
Although airlines will burn more fuel avoiding Russia, they will save on its overflight charges.
Meanwhile, Russia recently released draft legislation allowing the Kremlin to seize control of hundreds of foreign-owned commercial jets.
Said Mr Shapps: 'We cannot stand idly by while Vladimir Putin tramples over a sovereign, democratic country, laying waste to homes and hospitals. That is why the Government has deployed an unprecedented range of sanctions against Russia.
'I am doing all in my power to cripple Russia's aviation and shipping sectors. The state airline, Aeroflot, has been banned from uk airspace, together with all other Russian-owned, chartered, or operated aircraft. At the same time, Russian freighters and tankers have been denied access to our ports,' said Mr Shapps.
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'If they dock their superyachts in the UK, we'll seize them. If they land their private jets here, we'll impound them,' said Mr Shapps.
The comments come as Vladimir Putin's decision to close Russian airspace backfires on the economy.
In 2019, Russia generated $1.7 billion from overflight charges.
Many airlines expect to run a similar number of flights this year as in 2019 following the Covid crisis disruption.
Said Aviation consultant Graham Lake: 'Use of Russian airspace was routine for many flights seeking the shortest routes between parts of Asia and both Europe and North America.
'The loss of that access means that aircraft operators are now using longer alternative routes, usually further south, using more fuel and increasing overall costs,' he said.
British Airways chief Sean Doyle declared that the closure of Russian airspace would have a minimal impact on profits.
Although airlines will burn more fuel avoiding Russia, they will save on its overflight charges.
Meanwhile, Russia recently released draft legislation allowing the Kremlin to seize control of hundreds of foreign-owned commercial jets.
Said Mr Shapps: 'We cannot stand idly by while Vladimir Putin tramples over a sovereign, democratic country, laying waste to homes and hospitals. That is why the Government has deployed an unprecedented range of sanctions against Russia.
'I am doing all in my power to cripple Russia's aviation and shipping sectors. The state airline, Aeroflot, has been banned from uk airspace, together with all other Russian-owned, chartered, or operated aircraft. At the same time, Russian freighters and tankers have been denied access to our ports,' said Mr Shapps.
SeaNews Turkey