S7, Russia’s biggest private airline and second largest overall, said on Friday it was ceasing all international flights as of Saturday after the Russian aviation sector was hit by sweeping sanctions on the West. The European Union, Britain and United States and some other countries have closed their airspace starting next week, one of a package of punitive measures after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation.” S7, which operates about 100 planes, has flights to Turkey and UAE on Friday but will cease all its flights abroad from Saturday, it said. The company did not give a reason for the move. Smartavia, a medium-sized Russian airline, announced that it was ceasing all its international flights from Friday, including flights to Uzbekistan and charter flights to Turkey.<br/>
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Finnish carrier Finnair Oyj canceled a planned leadership transition after the closing of Russian airspace upended its long-haul strategy. Jouko Karvinen, chairman since 2017, will remain in the post rather than handing over as planned to Kari Stadigh, the former CEO of Sampo Oyj, the airline said Friday. The men jointly concluded that the planned succession “is not considered appropriate in these circumstances,” Finnair said. “It is important to ensure continuity in the board’s work.” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a series of reciprocal air-space closures that have barred Finnair’s access to Siberian pathways between Helsinki and destinations such as Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. The flights underpin Finnair’s strategy to fly passengers between Europe and Asia using the shortest possible routes, with the associated fuel efficiency benefits. The company now has to reroute key flights around Russia, adding hours to flight times and eroding profitability.<br/>
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has reiterated that the Malaysian government’s aspirations to locate the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has not been abandoned. Sympathising with the loss and pain of those affected by the mysterious incident, he said Malaysia was also keen on careful consideration and study on all new credible information to identify the location of the aircraft. Tuesday will be eight years after the tragedy when the aircraft vanished without a trace, leaving many questions on what actually happened to the ill-fated flight unanswered and passengers’ family members in limbo. “We need credible and actionable evidence to act on before we mount an expedition which we are certain can yield results. With credible information, consideration will be given on determining future search operations and re-establishment of the investigation team,” he said in a recorded speech.<br/>