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Washington is planning to impose new sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK. Moscow categorically denies involvement in this crime, and is insisting on an open investigation.
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| Russia to retaliate if Washington bans Aeroflot flights to US |
“We can’t allow our company to get squeezed from the market. We can’t let Delta take Aeroflot’s place,” Suraev said.
He also noted that the air communication between Russia and the United States will not cease in any case, since a third-country carrier may fill in the gap. “We will simply fly Lufthansa, or French companies,” the deputy explained.
Shares in Aeroflot plunged 11 percent at the opening of the Moscow Exchange on Thursday, but have rebounded and were down five percent during afternoon trading.
At the moment, only Aeroflot operates direct flights between Russia and the US. In March, American carrier Delta said it plans to stop its flights to Moscow.
Prior to this, the US airline made seasonal flights to Russia from late May to early September. Earlier, American Airlines and United Airlines stopped flying to Russia.
In addition to sanctions tied to the Skripal investigation, a bill was submitted last week to US Congress with a whole range of anti-Russian measures, including sanctions against the new state debt of the Russian Federation and state-owned banks.
Russia could also respond by raising tariffs for the use of its airspace by American airlines. The move would significantly increase the cost of flights over Russian territory or, alternatively, would force them to bypass the world’s largest country. Airlines flying from Europe to Asia would be the hardest hit. Aeroflot is also a major benefactor of royalties for all international flights passing through Russian airspace, which is the largest in the world.
