Aeroflot Operates Eight-hour Flight to Nowhere, Violets Canadian Airspace Ban

The EU and Canadian airspace is currently being banned from Russian Airlines and aircraft. Russia retaliated against the ban by closing its airspace to airlines from 36 countries, including the European Union. Commercial airlines are avoiding airspace around the countries.

Aeroflot's Eight-hour flight to nowhere

On February 27, 2022, Aeroflot was operating flight SU124 from Moscow to New York. There was a delay of one and a quarter-hour on the departure from Moscow.

When Russian flights were banned from entering the Canadian airspace, the crew of the Boeing 777 decided to return to Moscow. The flight performed an eight-hour flight to nowhere. The flight was routed to fly over Canada. The EU and Canada banned Russian flights on the same day. The Canadian government has banned all Russian-owned, chartered, or operated aircraft from entering its airspace.

"Effective immediately, Canada's airspace is closed to all Russian aircraft operators. All of Canada is united in its outrage of President Putin's aggression against Ukraine. In response, we have closed Canadian airspace to Russian-owned or operated aircraft. The Government of Canada condemns Russia's aggressive actions and we will continue to take action to stand with Ukraine."

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra

Aeroflot violated Canadian Airspace

Transport Canada confirmed on Sunday that an Aeroflot flight from Miami violated a ban on Russian operators. After the ban was imposed, the flight from Miami to Moscow flew over Canadian airspace.

"We are aware that Aeroflot Flight 111 violated the prohibition put in place earlier today on Russian flights using Canadian airspace."

Transport Canada

Transport Canada said it would launch an investigation into the conduct of Aeroflot's flight. Nav Canada confirmed to the news agency that the flight entered the Canadian Airspace. The aircraft operator declared the flight to be a humanitarian flight, which required special handling by air traffic control.

"We are currently cooperating with Transport Canada to investigate the occurrence, and are working with neighbouring Air Navigation Service Providers to support rerouting of aircraft prior to them entering Canadian-controlled airspace."

Nav Canada

Avoid Flying over Russian Airspace

Airlines are re-routing their flights to avoid flying over Russian airspace. Multiple Airlines, including Finnair, have stopped flying over Russian airspace. Finnair has decided to cancel all flights, including cargo flights, until further notice.

The United States has not imposed a ban on Russian operators, although it has advised its citizens to leave Russia.