Airlines Are Flying Up to 40% Longer Routes to Avoid Russia

Airspace closures over Russia and the European Union are forcing airlines to take long detours to avoid restrictions, adding hours of flight time and thousands in extra operating costs.

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the EU responded with sweeping sanctions to punish President Vladimir Putin, including closing its airspace to “any plane owned, chartered or otherwise controlled by a Russian legal or natural person.”

Russia implemented its own airspace closure in response, causing havoc for airlines that typically use Russian skies to connect places in Europe and Asia.

Read more in an article from Insider.