The European Commission has added 21 Russian airlines to the EU's flight safety blacklist, banning them from flying in EU airspace or imposing restrictions on their operations because they do not meet international safety standards, Der Spiegel reported On its website Thursday.

Eu Transport Commissioner Adina Volian reportedly said the blacklisting of the companies was not a response to further sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict with Ukraine, but a response to decisions made by Russian regulators. The latter allowed Russian airlines to operate hundreds of foreign-owned aircraft without valid airworthiness certificates.