How the FAA’s Sanctions on Russia Really Work

Who’s on the no-fly list? How hard is it to repossess an aircraft?

Friday, March 11, 2022 at 10:06 AM ET

Verified

One expert says the process of repossessing a Russian aircraft in the midst of this conflict isn't as easy as it might sound. [File Photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. government, through the FAA, initially banned all Russian-owned or leased aircraft from its airspace as part of broad sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.
The FAA later clarified that these flight restrictions specifically target sanctioned individuals and entities on the Consolidated Screening List, not average Russian citizens.
Enforcing sanctions on Russian oligarchs' aircraft is complicated by frozen financial assets and Russia's exclusion from global banking, making asset repossession or sale difficult and protracted.
Concerns exist regarding potential loopholes in the FAA's aircraft registry system, particularly surrounding beneficial ownership, which could allow sanctioned individuals to bypass flight restrictions.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine a couple of weeks ago, governments have done everything in their power to severely limit Russia and most of its influential citizens from doing business in the world. The FAA has also found ways to bring pressure to bear by limiting the travel plans of specific Russian individuals of influence and who could appeal to the Russian president.

On March 2, the U.S. government barred all Russian citizens who own or lease aircraft in the United States from operating them in the country’s airspace.