Canada launches review on Russian plane after violating airspace

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - A review on Monday was launched by Canada after Russia's Aeroflot airline violated its airspace.

Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra on Sunday announced his country's move to close their airspace to Russian aircraft operators amid developments between Russia and Ukraine since last week.

On Twitter, Transport Canada said: "We are aware that Aeroflot flight 111 violated the prohibition put in place earlier today (Monday) on Russian flights using Canadian airspace."

"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," it added.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine has entered its fifth day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military intervention last Thursday, days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine.

The intervention was met by an outcry from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against the Kremlin.

Russia has been further isolated as its airlines have been banned from traveling in European airspace as well as Canadian airspace and a number of its banks have been kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.