Russia’s air carrier Saratov Airlines to suspend operation on May 31 following Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) notification. The carrier was asked to stop selling tickets to “prevent violations of passenger rights and the development of the crisis situation”.

“On May 17, 2018 Saratov Airlines received a letter from Head of Transport Regulation Department of the Federal Air Transport Agency Andrey Kruglov on suspension of air ticket sales starting May 30 of this year. The airline views the document as restriction of its air operator certificate starting May 31. In this regard, the management of Saratov Airlines has made a decision on suspension of operations starting May 31, 2018,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.

The airline undertakes to return all passengers to Russia by 30 May. Since 18 July, the carrier has also had to sue the company’s employees. This is about 1.2 thousand professionals who “will be on the street,” explained in “Saratov Airlines.” At the same time, the company closed the booking and issuing of tickets as part of agreements with tour operators.

Saratov Airlines will return passengers money for tickets already purchased in the event of the final closure of the airline, the press service added.

An An-148 aircraft of the Saratov Airlines crashed en route from Moscow to Orsk crashed in February at Moscow Region after takeoff from Domodedovo killing all 71 passengers and crew on board.