Russia restricts air travel with EU, Switzerland, Norway over virus

MOSCOW, Mar 16 (PRIME) -- Russia has temporarily restricted flights to the E.U. member states, Switzerland and Norway from Monday over the coronavirus, the coronavirus response center said late on March 13.

“In order to ensure state security, protect public health and prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection in Russia, the operational headquarters decided to temporarily limit commercial air travel from 00:00 a.m. Moscow time on March 16, 2020 (Monday) from the Russian territory to and from the territory of the E.U. member states,” the center said.

Russia will maintain air travel to the capitals of the E.U. member states and charter flights intended for bringing Russian citizens or foreigners home.

Similar measures would be introduced in regard to flights to Switzerland and Norway – only flights to and from Geneva and Oslo would be maintained, as well as charter flights.

National flagship carrier Aeroflot said it will reduce the number of its flights to Europe starting from Monday and will also make special flights to bring its clients back home.

Low-cost airline Pobeda, a unit of Aeroflot, said it will halt flights to the Cypriot city of Larnaca, Latvia’s capital of Riga and the Dutch city of Eindhoven from Monday.

UTair said it will suspend flights to Vienna and Riga from Tuesday until May 31.

S7 said it halts all flights from Russia to Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Cyprus from Monday until May 31.

Russian Railways said it cancels trains to Berlin, Paris, and Riga.

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