UK orders airlines to avoid Ukraine airspace
UK air carriers were ordered to avoid Ukraine airspace as Russia launched an ‘act of aggression.’
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: “I’ve instructed @UK_CAA (the Civil Aviation Authority) to ensure airlines avoid Ukraine airspace to keep passengers and crew safe.”
Overnight, Russian troops launched a ‘full-scale invasion’ as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law.
Ukraine asked the West to help protect its airspace.
Earlier this week Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged UK nationals in Ukraine to ‘leave now via commercial routes while they are still available.’
Wizz Air promptly cancelled flights to the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv indefinitely.
“Due to the current events in Ukraine and the airspace closure, Wizz Air must temporarily suspend all flight operations in the country. Passengers with flights booked on arriving or departing Ukrainian flights can find more information on wizzair.com. We hope normality will to return to Ukraine soon,” it said.
Ryanair followed,saying flights were suspended for the next two weeks.
Kyiv’s main international airport has come under fire.
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