Russian airline operates eight-hour flight to nowhere after it was due to enter Canadian airspace
Plane was due to cross over Canadian airspace
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aeroflot was forced to operate an eight-hour “flight to nowhere” after Canada banned Russian planes from its airspace in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
New York-bound flight SU124 departed from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo international airport at 2.40pm on Sunday, 27 February, and flew more than a third of the journey before turning back.
Four hours in, when the Boeing 777 had almost got as far as Greenland, the decision was made to return to Russia.
Although the US has yet to follow in the footsteps of the UK and the EU in banning Russian airlines from its airspace, the news that Canada had done likewise gave the airline little choice but to recall the flight.
The regular Moscow-New York flight path used by Aeroflot takes a north-westerly route, flying over Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland and Canada before landing in the US.
With the news that the jet could no longer cross over Canadian airspace, the crew were left with limited options, as there was likely not enough fuel to reach New York if the plane was re-routed.
Instead of making the 10hr 45m journey to JFK airport as planned, the aircraft landed back in Moscow roughly eight hours after setting off.
Another Aeroflot flight on Sunday, however, appears to have contravened the airspace rules.
Flight 111 from Miami to Moscow was scheduled to depart at 1.55pm, and took off after Canada and the EU had banned Russian aircraft.
However, according to flight tracking websites, the plane still crossed over Canadian airspace.
Transport Canada has issued a warning and has said it is “investigating” the violation.
“We are aware that Aeroflot flight 111 violated the prohibition put in place earlier today on Russian flights using Canadian airspace,” it said in a statement.
“We are launching a review of the conduct of Aeroflot and the independent air navigation service provider, NAVCAN, leading up to this violation.
“We will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action and other measures to prevent future violations.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments