Russian Federal Air Transport Agency Suggests Resuming Air Traffic Between Russia, Ukraine
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, also known as Rosaviatsiya, has responded to Ukraine's ban of non-scheduled flights between the two countries by suggesting that the complete resumption of regular and charter flights be discussed, a representative of Rosaviatsiya told Sputnik on Wednesday
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian cabinet voted to ban all charter flights between Ukraine and Russia except for those related to missions of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The cabinet cited the alleged threat to Ukraine's national and civil security in its decision.
"As a response to the Ukrainian government's ban on direct charter air traffic between our countries, we suggest to hold talks and to fully resume regular and charter air traffic between Russia and Ukraine. We believe that this decision is in the interest of our people and air passengers," the representative said.
Air traffic between the two neighboring countries was suspended in October 2015 at Kiev's initiative amid tensions over Russia's alleged involvement in the conflict between the Ukrainian government and breakaway republics, and Crimea's reunification with Russia.