The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia, also known as Rosaviatsiya, has extended a flight ban across 11 airports in central and southern Russia for the sixth time.
On March 30, 2022, Rosaviatsiya announced that it was extending the period for temporary restrictions on flight services across Anapa (AAQ), Belgorod (EGO), Bryansk (BZK), Voronezh (VOZ), Gelendzhik (GDZ), Krasnodar (KRR), Kursk (URS), Lipetsk (LPK), Rostov-on-Don (RVI), Simferopol (SIP) and Elista (ESL).
“Temporary restrictions on flights to the Russian airports of Anapa, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Gelendzhik, Krasnodar, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov-on-Don, Simferopol, and Elista have been extended until 3:45 a.m. on April 7,” Rosaviatsiya wrote in a statement.
The previous extension had been due to end on April 1, 2022.
The Federal Air Transport Agency has recommended airlines continue to use alternative routes through the airports of Sochi (AER), Volgograd (VOG), Mineralnye Vody (MRV), Stavropol (STW), and Moscow (DME).
Flight restrictions were initially implemented on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces invaded Ukraine, prompting millions of Ukrainians to flee their home cities. The flight ban was implemented due to safety concerns in the area.