Airlines seek urgent US action to address Russia overflight rights - letter

A trade group representing major US passenger and cargo carriers has asked the State Department to "act urgently" to address the needs of airlines to secure rights to overfly Russian airspace, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Airlines for America in an Oct. 14 letter asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken for his intervention, warning that without action they could be forced to halt some flights. "Many US airlines urgently need additional rights to overfly Russian airspace to meet market demands," the letter said, adding without additional rights "US airlines will be forced to operate on alternate, inefficient routes resulting in time penalties, technical stops, excess CO2 emissions and loss of historic slot rights." The Russian Embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment. The airline group did not comment. The State Department confirmed it received the letter and said "Russia approved US carriers’ applications for overflights last week. The Department of State continues to engage with the relevant Russian authorities to secure expanded air services opportunities for US carriers." Sources said the US government has held extensive interagency discussions on the issue.<br/>