MOSCOW, August 06. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian aviation authorities might stop some European charter flights, change Transsiberian flights and close air space for Ukrainian air carriers’ transit in response to EU sanctions, said a source familiar with the process.

Russia might stop charter flights of some cargo and passenger air carriers that had temporary flight permits, that is beyond those stipulated in interchange agreements, the source said.

The authorities could also revise Transsiberian flight routes in Russia’s airspace, which would increase flight time and, accordingly, air carriers’ costs due to fuel and salary spending, the source added. European airlines will thus underperform their Asian competitors.

According to the source, the current tensions can freeze the negotiating process about modernization of the existing system of Transsiberian flight routes.

The aviation authorities also considered closing airspace for Ukrainian carriers’ transit flights, the source added. The Ministry of Transport confirmed the measures were on the table according to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s instruction on Tuesday.

Aeroflot’s 100% subsidiary Dobrolyot operating flights to Crimea suspended flights on August 4 affected by the EU sanctions.