Planes are largely avoiding Ukraine airspace after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crashed over the country, killing all 295 people aboard. The plane was shot down, according to authorities in the county, but both the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists have denied responsibility.
A tweet from Flightradar24, which monitors air traffic around the world, shows planes opting for Bulgarian and Turkish airspace instead.
Airlines said earlier they would stay away from Ukraine.
Flight operators were warned as recently as last spring to stay away from Ukrainian airspace, but a number did so anyway because it was cheaper, according to one expert.
The FAA had cautioned airlines to stay away from areas such as Crimea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and told them to "exercise extreme caution” when flying over cities such as Kiev and Lvov.
A tweet from Flightradar24, which monitors air traffic around the world, shows planes opting for Bulgarian and Turkish airspace instead.
Less flights over Ukraine. More flights over Bulgaria and Turkey after #MH17 pic.twitter.com/tsGx7NRXtg
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 17, 2014Airlines said earlier they would stay away from Ukraine.
Many airlines have now announced that they will stop flying over conflict area in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/NRcpbwmd4c
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 17, 2014Flight operators were warned as recently as last spring to stay away from Ukrainian airspace, but a number did so anyway because it was cheaper, according to one expert.
The FAA had cautioned airlines to stay away from areas such as Crimea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and told them to "exercise extreme caution” when flying over cities such as Kiev and Lvov.