European leaders have raised concerns about a decree made by the Russian government, which will force airlines to submit information about their passengers if they want to land in the country or even use its airspace.

The European Commission is unsure as to why the Russian authorities want this data and have called for a rethink, European Voice reports.

Tensions between the EU and Russia have mounted over a disagreement relating to the ongoing civil war in Syria - where opposing groups are still fighting to take control of the strategically important town of Qusayr.

It is feared that this air travel dispute could drive a bigger wedge between Russia and the rest of Europe and the issue will be raised at an EU summit next week (June 3rd and 4th).

The European Commission said Russia's intentions were "totally unknown", but the nation's EU ambassador Vladimir Chizhov insisted this is not the case, as the legislation - which will come into force on July 1st - had been published in Russia's official gazette in September 2012. 

He added that the data sought by the government is already routinely provided anyway.