Latvian authorities have again extended the closure of the airspace near the border with Russia and Belarus for flights during the evening and night hours, a source in the country's air traffic control service told TASS.
„The ban on flights in the border airspace with Russia and Belarus at an altitude of up to 6 km has been extended for another week - from November 3 to 9“, the agency's source said, recalling that previously the ban was in force until the end of November 2. The restrictions were initially introduced in September and have since been extended.
„Similar measures are in force until November 9 and at Latvia's borders with Lithuania and Estonia. In all cases, the only exceptions are flights authorized by the military, the agency's source stressed. The restrictions are in force from 18:00 to 5:00 UTC (from 21:00 to 8:00 Moscow time). All users of the country's airspace have been notified of them.
Earlier, aviation authorities in neighboring Lithuania imposed a temporary ban on flights along certain sections of the state border with Belarus at altitudes below 3,600 meters. According to the source, in the country's air traffic control service, the restricted areas “are established for national security operations“.
“The restrictions related to the potential danger to aircraft control are in effect until the end of the day on December 1“, the agency source also noted.