Transaero, Russia's second largest airline after Aeroflot, is being grounded. The airline has hit such dire financial straits that the nation's Ministry of Transport is concerned there will be a threat to passenger safety.

The shutdown comes as Russia's connections by air to the rest of the world have begun to decline.

Lufthansa, the German carrier, is the latest to join the exodus from Russia that began with budget carrier easyJet earlier this week. Both carriers have canceled their scheduled routes to Russia indefinitely, citing lack of demand.

Russia's Ministry of Transport announced that Transaero's operating certificate will be canceled as of Oct. 26, but the airline is already canceling dozens of flights — and was already preparing for a shutdown in December because of dwindling ticket sales.

Passengers scheduled to fly on Transaero through Dec. 15 will be rebooked on Aeroflot and other carriers, according to aTransaero press release.

Creditors have begun filing lawsuits against the airline in an effort to recoup investments.

Aeroflot almost bailed the flailing carrier out last month, but decided against buying a controlling stake (for a single ruble), putting the last nail in Transaero's coffin.

"Трансаэро" на пути банкротства: Путин поручил выполнить обязательст ... - http://t.co/wFcY8KmRsC pic.twitter.com/KEGuPKHj5G — Анатолий Курпасов (@kurpasov) October 13, 2015

Transaero was founded in 1990. Despite some early success — at least relative to other Russian carriers — its legacy will not be a positive one.

Good bye Transaero, you were horrible and will not be missed.* *Except when flying Vim Avia, Dagestan, Grozny-Avia, Ural, Utair, etc etc etc — Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) October 20, 2015

The carrier had a score of five out of 10 on airline ranking service Skytrax.

"Flight from Milan to Moscow was delayed more than six hours with no explanation," wrote one passenger in a review on Skytrax. "Complete absence of simple customer care and compensation."

"Staff ... got angry at people because they complained," they continued. "I'd better go by foot than fly again with this company."

Do not recommend @TRANSAERO airlines. Service was terrible. TERRIBLE. Staff was unhelpful and beyond rude. Plus none of the TVs worked. — Kimiko (@klpocha) August 4, 2015

Transaero LED-BKK. Horrible food, no wine. But there's wifi :). And i have 3 seats to myself. — Triinu Rajasalu (@tliinu) January 30, 2015

#transaero gets my vote for #worstairline crappy planes, horrible website, passive aggressive service — simon dunlop (@sjcdunlop) January 15, 2012

Congrats @AmericanAir you are no longer my most hated airline. @TRANSAERO now takes that glorious honor. Just horrible. — Arthur Klepchukov (@artvankilmer) September 18, 2011

Those who threatened to never fly the carrier again will be able to stick to their boycott.

Its been a horrible experience with @TRANSAERO will never fly with them again. — Ragu Sivapalan (@Ragu_Ballin) September 5, 2015