United, Delta and UPS are evaluating options for rerouting flights in the event that Russia carries out its threat to close Siberian airspace to carriers from North America and Europe as a response to escalating US/EU sanctions.
United spokeswoman Christen David said: “We’re concerned that this ban will affect our ability to fly certain routes as currently planned. We are evaluating options for each route that may be affected.”
Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant said: “Delta is prepared to quickly make alternate routings around closed airspace if necessary.”
Victoria Day, spokeswoman for Washington-based Airlines for America, said: “Aviation is a global industry with airlines around the world using overflights every day in the course of transporting people and goods. It would be unfortunate if Russia made a decision that would have the unintended consequence of impacting people and economies around the world, including its own.”
An airspace closure would affect EU-based airlines more than US carriers. Daniel Friedenzohn, assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, said: “Lufthansa alone operates about 180 flights a week in the region. That tally tops 200 when its subsidiaries such as Swiss Airlines are counted. With that amount at stake, [rerouting] could get pretty expensive and that’s just from a fuel standpoint.”
US carriers assess routing options over potential Russian airspace ban
