Branson backs a ban on flights over Russia

SIR RICHARD BRANSON is backing calls for an airport ban on Chinese airlines that arrive in Britain after travelling over Russian airspace.

The Virgin Group founder said it was important that airlines were not unfairly disadvantaged for operating in line with sanctions.

Since Vladimir Putin’s February invasion of Ukraine, most Western airlines are diverting flights around Russia.

But as parts of Asia belatedly reopen after Covid restrictions, there is renewed pressure on carriers to return to Russian airspace to avoid longer flight times and reduce fuel bills.

Sean Doyle, British Airways chief executive, said that avoiding Russia means flights east take between two and four hours longer. Services from Finland are worst affected. A flight between Helsinki and Tokyo now takes almost five hours longer.

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific last week announced it would restart flying over Russia. Chinese airlines have continued to use Russian airspace since the outbreak of the Ukraine war.

Industry sources said the UK could now crack down on the predominantly Chinese carriers that land in Britain after flying over Russia.

This gives them an unfair advantage financially, and means the money they are paying Russia for using its airspace is helping the country’s war effort.

Prior to the pandemic, Russia generated $1.7bn (£1.3bn) from so-called overflight charges each year.

Sir Richard, the founder of Virgin Atlantic, said flying around Russian airspace was “disadvantageous” for Western airlines abiding by sanctions. He said a “good point” was being raised that those airlines returning to fly over Russia were indirectly funding its war.