Russia has closed its airspace to airlines of 27 members of the European Union and 9 other countries, in retaliation against Ukraine-related sanctions targeting its aviation sector.

While some of the banned countries had already been identified, others were named by the aviation authority Rosaviatsia for the first time on Monday after the fresh sanctions imposed over Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

The flight bans will adversely impact airlines that fly over Russia on their way from Europe to Asia as they will have to take longer routes to avoid Russian airspace. This will increase the cost of operations for airlines due to the increased fuel burn. It will also take longer for passengers to get to their destinations. 

However, Rosaviatsia said that flights from those countries could in exceptional circumstances be authorised if they secure special clearance from Russia's aviation authority or foreign ministry.

The countries on Russia’s banned flights  list are: Albania, Anguilla, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, British Virgin Islands, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Jersey, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

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