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Russia's Orenburg Airlines blacklisted by Kiev though operating no flights to Ukraine

The airline has not been operating flights via the Ukrainian airspace since July 17, 2014

ORENBURG, September 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Orenburg Airlines or Orenair was surprised to find itself on the list of some 20 Russian airlines banned from Ukraine, as its planes don’t fly via the Ukrainian airspace, the company press service told TASS on Monday.

"The airline has not been operating flights via the Ukrainian airspace since July 17, 2014," the press service said, adding that the company stopped direct flights to Kiev back at the start of 2014 due to the situation in Ukraine.

Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot and another 20 carriers were last week embraced by new sanctions, which include full or partial bans on flights, air haulage services or transits via the Ukrainian territory.

In addition to Aeroflot as such that flies to Kiev, Odessa, and Kharkiv, the sanctions include three of its filial companies - Rossiya, Donavia, and Orenburg Airlines. Transaero, Russia’s second largest airline that went over to Aeroflot’s operational management less than a month ago and that makes flights to Kiev and Odessa, is also on the list.

Orenburg Airlines, which is part of Aeroflot Group, was last year placed eight as to the number of carried passengers.

It operates regular and charter flights on more than 250 routes. The summer program of the company includes direct regular flights to the Russian Black Sea coast, Crimea and Germany from 19 Russian cities.