Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev says 78 Russian-owned airplanes have been seized in foreign countries under international sanctions imposed on Moscow over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Savelyev told the Russian parliament's upper chamber, the Federation Council, on March 22 that Russian airlines registered in the country had almost 800 planes, of which 515 were leased from international companies.
Russian lawmakers have passed legislation allowing the country's airlines to put planes leased from foreign companies on the local registry, but many airlines have avoided doing so amid fears they may damage ties with international partners.
According to Savelyev, more than 30 airlines from 22 countries continue to fly to Russia despite several series of sanctions aimed at isolating the country for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The sanctions have also cut off supplies of parts and airplane services to Russia, worsening the situation for airlines.
On March 5, Russia's federal air-transport agency, Rosaviatsia, recommended that domestic airlines with foreign-leased aircraft suspend all flights abroad, except to neighboring Belarus, to avoid seizure of the aircraft.
Most Russian aircraft made in the West, such as planes from Boeing and Airbus, are registered in either Bermuda or Ireland. But those countries recently suspended the certification process for Russian-operated airlines, effectively grounding them.
Transport Ministry Says About One-Tenth Of Russia's Planes Impounded Abroad
More than five out of every eight planes registered by local airlines in Russia have been leased from international companies. (file photo)