This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
No Fly Zone: Russia Plans Airspace Blockade For European Flyovers In Sanction Retaliation
Russia has been quiet, too quiet, since the EU and US unleashed their latest set of sanctions. However, as military drills and troop build-ups occur on Ukraine's borders, Reuters reports that Russian Prime Minister Medvedev is considering a significant retaliation, "any unfriendly measures by the EU, including those in the area of air transportation, we’ll be studied and won’t remain without a response." Russian business daily Vedomosti quoted unnamed sources as saying the foreign and transport ministries were discussing possible action which might force EU airlines into long and costly detours and put them at a disadvantage to Asian rivals by restricting or banning European airlines from flying over Siberia on busy Asian routes. Costs? Over $1.3bn for every months for Lufthansa, BA, and Air France...
The Russian business daily Vedomosti quoted unnamed sources as saying the foreign and transport ministries were discussing possible action which might force EU airlines into long and costly detours and put them at a disadvantage to Asian rivals.
Russia may restrict or ban European airlines from flying over Siberia on busy Asian routes, a newspaper reported on Tuesday, following Western sanctions which have grounded one Russian carrier and a billionaire's private jet.
This would not be the first time...
At the height of the Cold War, most Western airlines were barred from flying through Russian airspace to Asian cities, and instead had to operate via the Gulf or the U.S. airport of Anchorage, Alaska on the polar route.
Costs could be considerable...
Blocking flights by Western airlines over Siberia would add an average an hour and a half to the travel time, Oleg Panteleev, head of the analytical department of the Aviaport agency told Vedomosti. It will result in higher fuel and labor costs, and more strain on technical equipment.
Vedomosti quoted one source as saying a ban could cost carriers including Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) over three months. Restrictions would lead to longer flights, higher fuel use and other additional costs.
Lufthansa said it operates about 180 flights a week through Siberian airspace but declined further comment, as did British Airways.
* * *
Though both ministries refused to officially comment, a person close to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “any unfriendly measures by the EU, including those in the area of air transportation, we’ll be studied and won’t remain without a response.”
* * *
How long before Europe breaks away from Washington? And the land-for-gas deal becomes reality?
»
- 23372 reads
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- advertisements -
Not insignificant, this was one of THE major benefits of the last 25 years post-SU. Not being able to fly over Russia means that most of the Asia-EU-North American flight routes no longer exist and expensive and time consuming detours will resume.
Obama. He's not your father's Jimmy Carter.
Meanwhile, Japan, emboldened perhaps by the robust state of its economy,
and still militarily occupied by the US,
has joined the chorus of sanctions renouncing trade with Russia.
Besides, Obama has stated that Russia
"doesn't make anything" and said in an interview with the Economist magazine that the West needs to be "pretty firm" with China as Beijing pushes to expand its role in the world economy.
[So when do the sanctions against China begin?]
http://news.yahoo.com/japan-unveils-russia-crimea-sanctions-070157820.html
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-russia-doesnt-anything-west-must-firm-china-...
Sheeeit... It's going to really difficult for all of those horny wine-sniffing cheese-nibbling Eurodudes who go on sex tours to Bangkok and Phuket. I'll guess they'll just have to stay home and wack off to Dutch child porn.
As opposed to the Russians that kidnap children and do it in-house?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNAPbuwLMHg
The US, the EU and Russia play Hold-em in a smokey room...
The US has pocket rockets... the EU, pocket kings.
The flop... ace of spades, queen of hearts, king of diamonds.
The US raises, everyone calls.
The turn... king of hearts.
The US raises, everyone calls.
The river... ace of hearts.
The US raises, big. The EU calls.
Russia takes one last look at his cards... 10 of hearts, jack of hearts... and downs a shot of vodka...
"I'm all in, bitchez."
The no fly zone may have to do with more than Russia, and
sanctions.
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/groupkltd.com/NoFlyAccords.pdf
.
Prof. Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes: "Are you sure you want to play this game?" http://youtu.be/rWQpxTfGa1Y?t=3m38s
I like the counter-strategy. But it will have no effect whatsoever because those pussy airline CEOs are the same as any other Western nation CEO in that they completely submit to the Federal authorities. Hence they will keep their pussy mouths shut!
seems more profit for oil industry & price hikes for the seat.
This is bullish and good for the GDP, 28 European Finance Ministers will collect more VAT on the fuel.
Is the USSA still running supplies to Afghanistan through Russia ?? The Paki's stopped the flow for a while due to the USSA's indiscriminate killing of its citizens and soldiers, guess the Paki gov was holding out for more greenbacks, but the route opened again.
There is no USSA. There is a United States of America though.
There is a USSA, to be sure, you are probably living there. The Bolshevik government just hasn't gotton around to adding the additional S on its logo - but don't worry - go back to drinking you Pabst and listening to Country Music channel plying "God Belss the USA", etc etc.
...and nothing of value was lost in not flying over Russia. Besides, they don't have freedom there - just gated communities.
If Europe even thinks of it, those bases in Germany will be more than happy to help the EU reconsider the error of siding with Far Eastern and South American despots.
The second Maylasian knockdown is part and parcel of Israeli retaliation against Indonesia for not giving a crap about the Chosenites and having the temerity to point the finger at them, as their political leaders have done. Some businessman even opened a restaurant with a Wermacht theme in Mayalsia - causing the Chosenite to cry 6 million tears. There were other reasons for the knockdown, two birds with one stone etc. Screw Israel.
"retaliation against Indonesia"? by taking a Malaysia Airline plane out of the sky... please explain!