THE UK Government’s Transport Secretary was told to “do your job” and close “loopholes” allowing travel from the UK to Moscow after a private jet went from Inverness to the Russian capital at the weekend.
On Friday night, as part of a package of sanctions against Putin’s regime following the invasion of Ukraine, it was announced that the UK was banning all scheduled services operated by aircraft owned, operated, leased or registered in Russia from its airspace.
But just hours later an Estonian-registered jet operated by Panaviatic was able to fly from Inverness to Moscow, prompting SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford to demand an explanation. The MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber pledged to raise the issue in the Commons on Monday.
Blackford expressed concern that the ban on Russian aircraft in the UK’s airspace did not cover aircraft registered in a third country, adding: “We cannot have loopholes that allow flights with a final destination of Moscow.”
He also alleged that Highlands and Islands Airports (Hial) had only received information about the NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) banning flights on Saturday night – hours after the restrictions were brought in on Friday.
But the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed this was “factually incorrect”, insisting the guidance was given to “all aviation” and stating it is “always the responsibility of Aviation to check NOTAMs before flight”.
Blackford quickly shot back to tell the Tory minister: “No it is not factually wrong.”
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He said Hial had confirmed in writing that the alert was only received on Saturday night via email.
“Hial also checked with NATS pre departure and authority to fly was given. The regulations do not go far enough. You should do your job,” the SNP MP told the minister.
Meanwhile, the House of Commons announced that Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is due to make a statement to MPs on Russian sanctions at 3.30pm.
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