Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a direct warning to commercial airlines, specifically targeting carriers that continue to operate over Russian territory. The Ukrainian president stated that the intensifying drone attacks by his forces will likely render the airspace “de facto closed” as the threat level rises. During a video address on Tuesday night, he urged airlines, insurers, and operators using Russian airports to reassess the new risk environment.
Most European carriers suspended flights over Russia following the 2022 invasion. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) still recommends avoiding the area west of the 60th meridian east for all flight levels. However, a significant number of international carriers continue to utilize these routes. According to available data from aviation authorities and tracking services, several non-European companies are currently operating over Russian airspace, particularly on long-haul routes between Europe and Asia.
Major Chinese airlines currently lead this group. Air China operates from Beijing to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Rome, Brussels, Vienna, and other destinations. China Eastern operates from Shanghai to Paris, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Milan, Rome, and Vienna, as well as Xi’an to Vienna. China Southern operates from Guangzhou and Beijing to Europe, including Amsterdam, London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Other operators identified in the data include Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Air, and Beijing Capital Airlines. Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways continue service on routes from their hubs in the Middle East to Northern Europe, though specific segments vary by flight path. Turkish Airlines operates across Asia and connects to some Russian corridors, while Air Serbia links Belgrade to Shanghai and Russia.
While these routes are currently active, aviation officials note they are liable to change quickly. Any shift would likely extend flight times and increase fuel costs due to the need to reroute around Russian airspace.
Aviation safety experts point out that operating in a war zone involves handling systems of air defense, missiles, and drones. This creates a layered risk profile for civil aviation that standard insurance policies may not fully cover. The presence of these threats forces operators to balance economic efficiency against the safety of passengers and crew.
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