When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the US and many other Western nations imposed sanctions against Moscow. This included closing off their respective airspace, meaning US airlines and most European carriers cannot currently fly over Russia — a reality reminiscent of the Cold War.

As of March 2026, European airlines are still prohibited from flying over Russian airspace. This ban, which began in early 2022 as a reciprocal response to EU sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, remains a major hurdle for Western carriers. While there were industry rumors in early 2026 (led by comments from Lufthansa's CEO) about a potential reopening of the skies, no formal agreement has been reached. Consequently, European flights to East Asia (such as Japan, South Korea, and China) must take significantly longer routes over the "Middle Corridor" (Central Asia) or the "Polar Route" (over Alaska/Arctic). These detours add 2 to 4 hours of flight time and several tons of extra fuel per journey, making European carriers less competitive compared to Chinese or Middle Eastern airlines that are still permitted to use Russian airspace. This geopolitical divide continues to shape the economics of 2026 global aviation, resulting in higher ticket prices and longer layovers for travelers flying between Europe and Asia.