Due to mounting worries of a Russian invasion, Lufthansa and Swiss Air Lines will cease flights to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, beginning Monday.
Lufthansa, a German airline, announced it will also suspend flights to Odesa, a vital Black Seaport.
“At all times, the safety of our passengers and crew members is our top priority,” Lufthansa stated.
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, said on Sunday that Russia is preparing “the largest conflict in Europe since 1945.”
KLM, a Dutch airline, said last week that it was stopping flights to Kyiv. The stoppage of Lufthansa flights is scheduled to last until the end of February.
Swiss Air Lines, a Lufthansa Group affiliate, announced on Sunday that it will cease flights to Kyiv. Beginning Monday and continuing until February 28.
Both Lufthansa and Swiss have stated that they are constantly monitoring the situation and are in contact with national and international authorities.
“Affected clients will be contacted and rebooked on alternative flight connections,” a Lufthansa representative said.
Every week, the airline flies 74 flights to Ukraine under the Lufthansa brand or through its sister carriers, which include Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, and Swiss.
Lufthansa announced it would keep flying to Lviv, Ukraine’s westernmost city.
According to Mr. Johnson, information suggests that Russia is planning an invasion.
Ryanair and Wizz Air also fly to Ukraine and announced last week that they would continue to do so. Ryanair, followed by Wizz Air, is the major airline that flies between Europe and Ukraine.
Wizz Air said in a statement on Sunday that it was closely monitoring the situation and advised travelers to check their inboxes for further information concerning booked flights frequently.
Ukrainian Government On Flight Safety
Last Monday, the Ukrainian government committed to keeping the country’s airspace open. It stated it was willing to shoulder financial responsibility for flight safety, citing rising insurance costs as one reason airlines continue to fly into the region.
In July 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 had shot down as it approached the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine. All 298 passengers and crew members had lost their lives on the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. A total of 80 youngsters were among the victims.