On Monday 11 April, the European Commission added 21 Russian airlines to the EU Air Safety List, imposing a de facto ban on their operation or operational restrictions within the European Union.
The 21 companies were added to the Air Safety List after the Russian government allowed the re-registration of aircraft leased to foreign companies on 14 March, allowing them to continue operating domestic flights despite the lack of valid airworthiness certificates.
“The Russian airlines concerned knowingly acted in violation of applicable international safety standards”, commented Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean.
This update of the Air Safety List comes after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borissov announced on 31 March that “the vast majority” of aircraft leased to Western companies would remain in Russia, despite the breach of contract (see EUROPE 12924/11).
Following the EU sanctions against Moscow on 28 February (see EUROPE 12900/2), Russian airlines should have returned the more than 500 leased aircraft by 28 March (see EUROPE 12920/6). So far, only 78 devices have been recovered by the rental companies concerned. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)