NEW YORK Aeroflot, Russias flagship carrier, has announced that it will halt all international flights except to Belarus starting March 8.

The move by Russias biggest state-owned airline comes after the countrys aviation agency, Rosaviatsiya, recommended that all Russian airlines with foreign-leased planes halt both passenger and cargo flights abroad.

It cited a high risk of foreign-leased planes being impounded as part of Western sanctions, amid Russias invasion of Ukraine, that ban leasing of planes to Russia.

Rosaviatsiyas recommendation doesnt apply to Russian airlines that use Russian planes or foreign planes that arent at risk of being impounded.

It also doesnt apply to foreign airlines from countries that have not imposed sanctions on Russia and have not shut down their airspace for Russian planes.

Aeroflots statement Saturday cited circumstances that hinder operating flights as a reason for its move.

Aeroflot said it would cancel return tickets for passengers who are scheduled to depart Russia after March 6 and travel back after March 8. Those with one-way tickets will be allowed to fly up until March 8. Earlier this week, S7, Russias biggest private airline, announced that it was halting all international flights starting Saturday.