Russia says it “lost 78 planes” seized by foreign countries

Associated Interfax citing the Minister’s March 22 announcement Traffic Russia’s Vitaly Savelyev said that 78 Russian planes were seized abroad. Currently, Russia is becoming the target of unprecedented sanctions from the West due to the military operation in Ukraine since February 24.

Sanctions have cut off most of the aircraft, parts and services supplied to Russia, while Russian airlines have 515 jets leased from abroad.

“We have lost 78 planes,” Savelyev said, noting that the planes were seized abroad and will not be returned to Russia.

Russia in mid-May passed a law giving the country’s airlines the right to register planes leased from foreign companies in their names.

The purpose of the move is to preserve the fleet of civil aircraft of Russian airlines affected by Western sanctions, including hundreds of leased foreign aircraft. On the other hand, it also makes it difficult for foreign companies to take back leased aircraft without the consent of the Russian government. However, Russian airlines seem to be hesitant to do this so far, fearing that it could affect their relationships with leasing partners from abroad.

At the time of sanctions, Russia had 1,367 aircraft and nearly 800 are now on the list of registered Russian aircraft, according to Savelyev.

Almost all of the Boeing and Airbus planes used by Russian airlines are registered in Bermuda and Ireland, but a week ago the aviation authorities of Bermuda and Ireland suspended certification for all aircraft. aircraft operated by Russia.

Mr. Savelyev also revealed that Russia is being guided by Iran’s experience on how to operate a fleet of aircraft, in the context that Iran has for many years also been the target of sanctions from the West.