Tag Archives for ukraine.
The FAA has issued a warning for all operators to avoid Venezuelan airspace, even as international airlines cancel service. The timing aligns with reporting that Washington is pushing Ukraine toward a settlement tilted toward Russia in exchange for Moscow’s acquiescence on removing Nicolás Maduro.
Russia’s rocket firings inside U.S.-controlled Pacific airspace forced transpacific flights, including FedEx and UPS cargo jets, to detour hundreds of miles off course.
A Ukranian soldier, injured during Russia’s invasion of his country, was kicked off of a Wizz Air flight from Tel Aviv to Warsaw because of his prosthetic leg. The airline says he either needed to be “fit to fly” on his own or “accompanied by someone” for support. He had reportedly been in Tel Aviv for medical treatment, and was traveling with gifts to visit family.
Odesa International Airport has a rather remarkable presentation in which it begins by reviewing its 2021 results, and pivots to outlining what happened to it during Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Airport leadership laid out lessons on “sav[ing] an airport on initial stage of war” – not something most airport authorities need contingencies for.
A Captain for Russian government-owned low cost carrier Pobeda, a subsidiary of Aeroflot, demonstrated real bravery by announcing to his flight that his government’s invasion of Ukraine is a crime and must be stopped. Caveating that he was speaking for himself and not the airline that had brought passengers to Antalya, Turkey, he asked passengers to do everything they could to bring the war to an end. Passengers cheered.
Ukrainian flight Attendants are on social media promoting a NATO No Fly Zone over their country. The Russian Air Force has been shockingly absent, likely less capable than believed, but still poses a threat. And this would allow for Ukranian air superiority. They argue that a NATO No Fly Zone would put an end to the war. This seems… inadvisable.
This is being promoting on social media by Airbnb’s CEO. But Ukranian refugees need a place to stay and this can easily take inventory off the market (restrict supply) and raise price.
This isn’t just limited to majority state-owned Aeroflot. It applies to all Russian airlines (even private ones, like oneworld member S7). Even Germany is now sending munitions to Ukraine. European airlines, including most recently Lufthansa
What can Americans do?
Delta Air Lines today announced that they have suspended codeshares with SkyTeam alliance member Aeroflot, which is 57% owned by the Russian government. I’m surprised it took this long. Beyond Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson there appears to be very little sympathy for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Visit Ukraine tourism board is pushing a new slogan as the nation prepares to be invaded by Russia: “Keep calm and visit Ukraine.”
Their position is there’s “no reason to panic” because “situation on the Ukrainian border remains under control.”
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
