The UK government has introduced sanctions against Russian state-owned Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, plus Ural Airlines and Rossiya Airlines.
All three will be unable to sell unused landing slots at Heathrow and Gatwick.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “As long as Putin continues his barbarous assault on Ukraine, we will continue to target the Russian economy. We’ve already closed our airspace to Russian airlines. Today we’re making sure they can’t cash in their lucrative landing slots at our airports. Every economic sanction reinforces our clear message to Putin – we will not stop until Ukraine prevails.”
Aeroflot is majority owned by the Russian state and provides services for the Russian government. It is also an important source of revenue for the Kremlin. The UK sanctioned its chief executive Mikhail Igorevich Poluboyarinov in March. Aeroflot is also subject to an asset freeze.
Rossiya Airlines, otherwise known as Russian Airlines, is part of Aeroflot.
Ural Airlines, one of the largest airlines in Russia, was previously part of Aeroflot. The FCDO said the carrier “is obtaining a benefit from and supporting the government of Russia by carrying on business in the transport sector, which is of strategic significance. Ural Airlines is subject to an asset freeze.”
Recently introduced powers also make it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in the UK and permit the government to remove aircraft belonging to designated Russian individuals and entities from the UK aircraft register, even if the sanctioned individual is not onboard. Russian ships are also banned from UK ports.
The news comes as transport secretary Grant Shapps takes up presidency of the International Transport Forum.
Shapps said: “The UK was one of the first nations to implement sanctions on Putin and his allies; we forbade entrance to their ships and planes, strangling them of the privilege to benefit from global trade and commerce.
“Today, the UK government has built on the strong action we have already taken against Russia’s flagship carrier Aeroflot, along with Rossiya and Ural Airlines. This means they will be unable to use their expensive landing slots at UK airports. Our actions will also prevent Russia from selling the slots and cashing in on up to £50 million.”
