Bermuda Revokes Russian Aircraft Airworthiness, And Why It Matters

The airworthiness certificates of all the jets in Russia have been suspended. This is more significant than you might think because of the sanctions that Russia is facing.

Many Russian planes are registered in Bermuda

All certificates of airworthiness of aircraft operating in Russia have been temporarily suspended by the BCAA. Roughly half of the commercial jets in Russia are registered inBermuda, which is important because most of the planes that are leased are in that location.

International sanctions make it hard for Bermuda to maintain safety oversight of these Russian operated aircraft.

Why are there so many planes in Russia? There are a number of reasons, including lower import duties, better safety oversight, and easier and better insurance options. The process of trying to re-register aircraft in Russia is complicated.

Why this doesn’t matter all that much

Half of a country's commercial aircraft losing their airworthiness certificates would be significant. It probably doesn't matter much at this point.

• Russian airlines have almost entirely suspended international flights, so demand for air travel is a fraction of what it once was; airlines don’t need all of their planes
• With sanctions in place, hundreds of Russian jets are supposed to be seized, as lease agreements have been terminated; however, Russian airlines are refusing to return these jets, and repossessing them in Russia isn’t exactly easy right now
• Many Russian planes are without insurance now, but even so, continue to fly

Half of Russia's commercial jets are no longer considered airworthy. I'm not sure if Russian airlines care more about this than they do about planes being returned to leasing companies.

Bottom line

The certificates of airworthiness for hundreds of jets registered in Russia have been suspended. The airworthiness of these planes is no longer being spoken to by the regulator.

Russia no longer cares about international laws, so this is likely all a waste of time.

What do you think about the revocation of airworthiness certificates in Russia?