The Russian government has barred Ural Airlines (U6, Ekaterinburg) and other Russian carriers from operating charter flights to Turkey as part of a raft of punitive economic sanctions announced by Moscow this past weekend.
The move is in retaliation for Türk Hava Kuvvetleri F-16s downing a Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24 for reportedly violating Turkish airspace near the border with Syria last week. One of the two pilots was shot dead by Syrian Turkmen rebels as he parachuted to safety.
"It was definitely an act of aggression by Turkey, a neighbour and a NATO member. Military and political reaction to this crime has been provided and more will be forthcoming," Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
Aside from barring charter flights to Turkey, a popular destination for Russian tourists, the Kremlin is also considering banning Turkish operators such as Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport) from transiting Russian airspace. Turkish carriers serving Russia will also be subject to increased checks and controls "for security reasons".
Other punitive measures include embargoing Russian businesses from hiring any new Turkish nationals as well as import restrictions on certain Turkish goods.
The new measures come into effect from January 1, 2016.
