Ban Affects Nearly Any Flight Performed By, Chartered For, Russian Nationals

The FAA has released a NOTAM prohibiting a series of aircraft and operators from American airspace, banning all Russian aviation until further notice. 

The specific text states "all Russian air carriers and commercial operators, regardless of the state of registry of the aircraft; all aircraft registered in the Russian federation; all Russian state aircraft, regardless of the state of registry of the aircraft; and all aircraft, regardless of the state of registry, owned, chartered, leased, operated or controlled by, for, or for the benefit of, a person who is a citizen of the Russian federation are prohibited from operating to, from, within, or through u.s. territorial airspace." Only a few exceptions are left, namely diplomatic operations, humanitarian flights, search and rescue, or in-flight emergencies. Otherwise, they're banned entirely. 

The NOTAM has already been seen in action, with similar actions in place with other civil aviation regulators around the world. Earlier, a chartered aircraft on its way to the arctic north while carrying 2 Russian citizens was held at a Yellowknife, Canada airport.

The flight was on its way to deliver personnel for an Arctic overland expedition in a tracked utility vehicle, beginning in Resolute Nunavut. While their exact identities have not been released, it is likely the Russians were involved in a scientific and educational initiative to trek from the continental shelf to the High Arctic, threading their way through a full vertical circumnavigation of the globe. Whether or not they were the team, the flight was grounded regardless. They have not been charged, and their disposition remains a mystery until authorities there follow up. If a similar event were to take place in the US, noncompliant aircraft “may be intercepted, and their pilots and other crewmembers detained and interviewed by law enforcement or security personnel.”

FMI: www.faa.gov