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As the European Union meets today to consider further sanctions against Russia for its role in civil unrest in Ukraine, the country threatened to close its airspace - potentially creating a nightmare in the skies.
"We proceed from the fact that we have friendly relations with our partners and that is why the sky over Russia is open for flights," Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with a Russian paper published this morning. "But if they put limits on us we will have to respond."
If further sanctions are enacted, specifically energy sanctions, a Russian boycott of its airspace could wreak havoc.
"If there are sanctions related to the energy sector, or further restrictions on Russia's financial sector, we will have to respond asymmetrically," Medvedev said. "For example, restrictions in the transport sector."
[BLURB]"We hope that political tensions will not spill over to negatively impact the efficient global connectivity." - Perry Flint, IATA[/BLURB]
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Some of the most well-traveled routes in the world fly over the large expanse of land - it is where Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was flying over Ukraine when it was shot down in July by pro-Russian separatists.
Having to change courses that are longer, more indirect, is costly. For some airlines, it could do financial harm.
Medvedev said he hopes it doesn't come to that, "e just want our partners to realise it at some point."
In a statement provided to TravelPulse.com, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Assistant Director, Corporate Communications Perry Flint said: "We hope that political tensions will not spill over to negatively impact the efficient global connectivity."
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