Alaska Airlines has announced that it is pausing ties with a Russian airline, noting that it is “deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis” unfolding in Ukraine, as part of a concerted move by many companies around the world to isolate Russia for its initiation of war.
Alaska Airlines has also suspended the “limited interline relationships” with S7 and Aeroflot, the largest carrier in Russia. Interlining allows passengers of one airline to be ticketed on another alternate airline in cases like bad weather, etc.
Other major airlines based in the United States have also announced the suspension of services to Russia. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and courier company United Parcel Service (UPS) will no longer be flying over the Russian airspace. Washington has indicated that it will block Russian flights from its airspace.
“These aircraft will no more be able to land in, take off, or overfly the territory of the EU. This will apply to any plane owned, chartered, or otherwise controlled by a Russian legal or natural person. So let me be very clear. Our airspace will be closed to every Russian plane—and that includes the private jets of oligarchs,” von der Leyen said.
Russia shut down its airspace to airlines from 36 nations, including the 27 member states of the European Union and the UK. London had earlier banned Aeroflot from UK airspace.
The airline bans announced by Russia, the EU, and the UK, as well as multiple airlines in the United States, can have a negative impact on cargo transport. Russian carriers account for roughly 70 percent of flights between the EU and Russia.
Global supply chains were already hard hit by shipping port disruptions while air freight rates were elevated due to a lack of passengers amidst the pandemic. With flights getting banned, air cargo transport could turn more expensive while further complicating the supply chain crisis.