After Southwind, the EU also blocks Tailwind. The Turkish airline is not allowed to fly to Kaliningrad. The reason is missing or incorrect documents.
Almost a month ago, the European Union issued an immediate flight ban for Southwind Airlines. The Finnish transport authority had previously come to the conclusion, based on in-depth analysis, that the holiday airline was not really controlled by Turkish owners, but mainly by Russian owners.
Southwind is therefore violating sanctions in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. As a result, the airline not only had to stop its flights to Western Europe – but also to Germany and Switzerland.
She also had to cancel the charter flights on the Kaliningrad to Antalya route, even though the start and destination are in Russia and Turkey. The Russian exclave cannot be reached without flying over the EU.
Tailwind is not allowed to use EU airspace
The affected tour operators were quickly able to present an alternative with Tailwind Airlines. It is a Turkish charter airline that was founded 18 years ago. In addition to Istanbul, the airline also has aircraft stationed at Antalya Airport. The fleet currently includes five Boeing 737-400s and two Boeing 737-800s.
But these flights are not taking place either. The EU has banned Tailwind from using European airspace for flights between Antalya and Kaliningrad. According to Turkish media, Brussels is citing missing or incorrect documents.
With north wind over Moscow
The flights should now take place from May 15th at the earliest, should the EU allow the use of the airspace. If not, the organizer Pegas plans to fly those affected from Kaliningrad via Moscow to Antalya.
The flights between Kaliningrad and Moscow are to take place with the Russian charter airline Nordwind Airlines. Southwind is to operate the flights from Moscow to Turkey.