Latvian airline Air Baltic has extended the suspension of flights to and from Russia until the end of May due to restrictions imposed because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as safety concerns. “The safety and security of our passengers and employees is the main priority of Air Baltic,” the flag carrier says. Air Baltic says it is evaluating the current situation before each flight and remains in close contact with national and international authorities. It adds that it is flexible and ready to adjust its flight schedule when necessary. Air Baltic had previously decided to cancel flights to Russia from 26 February until 26 March.

The European Union and UK government have announced several trade and aviation-related sanctions on Russia following the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU has imposed a ban on the export of aircraft spare parts to Russia. The measure “will affect the key sector of the Russian economy and the country's connectivity”, it says, as three-quarters of Russia's current commercial aircraft fleet was built in the EU, the USA and Canada. The UK government has imposed a ban on Yury Slyusar, director of United Aircraft, a holding company that includes all major Russian aircraft manufacturers such as MiG and Sukhoi. With this ban, Slyusar will not be able to travel to the UK and any UK-based assets will be frozen, the government says. Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has also been banned from using the UK’s airspace.

Taiwan’s China Airlines expects to take delivery of eight Airbus A321neos and two Boeing 777 Freighters this year, and is exploring widebody options to replace its ageing A330-300 fleet. The carrier says it introduced A321neos in the fourth quarter of 2021 “as part of advanced preparations for the post-Covid era”. It has three in service and 14 more on order, with delivery dates ranging between May 2022 and December 2024, Data indicates. The narrow bodies will support the airline’s regional operations on Northeast Asian, Southeast Asian and cross-strait routes, which it hopes to resume progressively as the market recovers and border restrictions begin easing. With the induction of the two 777Fs, China Airlines plans to expand transoceanic cargo operations “where market demand and overall capacity permits”. Data shows the carrier has three 777Fs in service and seven more on order, with delivery dates in September and October 2022; April, August and December 2023; and April and December 2024. China Airlines foresees that shipping rates will “stay relatively high” as demand for cargo hold space continues to outstrip supply. It is targeting cargo sources such as semiconductor machinery, e-commerce goods, and consumer electronic products and equipment, as well as high-priority cargo and high-value goods requiring additional or charter flights. The airline says it is implementing differentiated pricing and a hold bidding system to adjust passenger and freighter aircraft schedules in real time in order to optimise overall revenues. It will also use passenger aircraft to support freighter operations to increase cargo revenues. It also reveals it “exploring the feasibility of new widebody passenger aircraft [to replace] its A330-300 fleet”, without indicating any potential aircraft types. Data shows that China Airlines has 23 A330-300s. Barring its 747Fs and four 737NGs, these are the oldest jets within its fleet of 92 aircraft. Twelve are between 15 and 17 years old, and another six between 10 and 14 years old. All except three of the aircraft are leased. In June and September 2021, the airline agreed with China Aircraft Leasing to sell and lease back a total of five A330-300s. In addition to its A321neos, A330-300s and 777Fs, the airline has 14 A350-900s, 10 777-300ERs, 19 737NGs and 20 747Fs.