The European Union has made a decision to close its air space to aircraft registered in Russia, as well as to aircraft owned or chartered by Russian legal entities or individuals.

"In view of the gravity of the situation, and in response to Russia's actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, it is appropriate to introduce further restrictive measures related to finance and aviation ... Member states should be required to deny permission to land in, take off from, or overfly, their territories to any aircraft operated by Russian air carriers, including as a marketing carrier, to any Russian-registered aircraft, and to non-Russian-registered aircraft which are owned or chartered, or otherwise controlled by a Russian legal or natural person," the Official Journal of the European Union reported on Monday.

Exceptions from this rule are made in the case of an emergency landing, the document said.

Besides, "competent authorities may authorize an aircraft to land in, take off from, or overfly, the territory of the Union if the competent authorities have determined that such landing, take-off or overflight is required for humanitarian purposes or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of this regulation," the document said.

This decision enters into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union on February 28, 2022, the document said.