Delta Airlines suspended its codeshare agreement with Russia’s Aeroflot airlines amidst the military escalation in Ukraine. In the UK, the soccer club Manchester United has also decided to terminate the sponsorship deal with Russia’s national airline.
1. Delta Airlines
Delta does not have direct flights to Russia or Ukraine, but the code-share agreement allowed customers of both Delta and Aeroflot to use each airline’s website to book flights on either carrier, making travel between the US and Russia far easier. Aeroflot operates direct flights from Moscow to four cities in the US, New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles and Miami.
“Delta has withdrawn our codeshare services operated in conjunction with Russian national airline, Aeroflot, effective immediately,” POLITICO reported on Friday, quoting a Delta’s spokesperson.
“We have removed our code from Aeroflot-operated services beyond Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and removed Aeroflot’s code from Delta-operated services from New York-JFK. Customers affected by the changes will be re-accommodated,” Delta’s spokesperson added.
2. Manchester United
Aeroflot also got kicked from the British soccer team Manchester United, heading out a $53 million sponsorship supposed to to run until 2023. The team’s last flight would have been on 23 February for their Champions League playoff against Atletico Madrid, but it was cancelled because of the invasion.
“In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot’s sponsorship rights. We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected,” Manchester United said in a press statement.
One of the major consequences of this outcome will be much longer flights from Europe to Asia. Flights will become more expensive too due to rerouting and additional fuel costs.
