How much of a sanction would "a possible ban on airlines from Europe flying over Russia" be? Routing European flights around that enormous country would cost the airlines a lot more money in terms of fuel and flight time. But would it cost Russia anything? Do countries or airlines pay the countries they fly over?
I guess it would make sense if they do. They do use the ground control of the places they pass over. Still, I wonder if the primary victim of that particular sanction would be European airlines, not Russia. Without passing over Russia, the Frankfurt to Almaty flight I used to take would have to be much longer. I think airlines are already avoiding Ukrainian airspace after the Malaysian Air flight 17 disaster. Cutting out Russia airspace would compound that problem for the airlines.
I guess it would make sense if they do. They do use the ground control of the places they pass over. Still, I wonder if the primary victim of that particular sanction would be European airlines, not Russia. Without passing over Russia, the Frankfurt to Almaty flight I used to take would have to be much longer. I think airlines are already avoiding Ukrainian airspace after the Malaysian Air flight 17 disaster. Cutting out Russia airspace would compound that problem for the airlines.
