Russian airlines resolve dual registration issue for over 300 aircraft, clearing them for international flights
Over the nearly three years since the start of the full-scale war, Russian airlines have removed 365 planes from Bermuda’s registry, addressing dual registration issues that had hindered international flights, Kommersant reported.
According to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya), 745 Russian aircraft were registered in Bermuda when sanctions were imposed in March 2022 (the Russian Transport Ministry cited an even higher number — 768). Another 36 aircraft were registered in Ireland. Following the sanctions, airlines lost access to around 80 planes, but at least 665 remained in Bermuda’s registry. Now, Kommersant reports, only 300 aircraft operated by Russia carriers are still registered in Bermuda.
Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, most foreign aircraft operated by Russian airlines were registered in Bermuda and Ireland. Aircraft owners had avoided registering them in Russia, citing a lack of transparency in its registry and procedures. When sanctions were imposed on Russian aviation, Bermuda and Ireland suspended the airworthiness certificates for these planes, prompting airlines to transfer them to Russia's registry. However, dual registration is prohibited, making such planes ineligible for international flights.
Kommersant estimates that, with aircraft freed from dual registration and Russian-made Sukhoi Superjets, more than 500 planes operated by Russia carriers are now cleared for international flights. Officials in Bermuda, Ireland, and Russia declined to comment on the matter.
