BEIJING (AP) – China has banned Russian airlines from flying foreign jets in its airspace, Russia’s RBK news agency reported after President Vladimir Putin questioned the ownership of the planes, allowing them to be re-registered in Russia to avoid seizure under sanctions over Moscow’s attack on Ukraine.
The European Union, home to major aircraft leasing companies, banned the sale or rental of aircraft to Russian carriers in February. Putin responded by approving the re-registration measure in March, leading to speculation that foreign owners may never restore billions of dollars worth of planes.
China’s air regulator last month asked all foreign carriers to update property information and other details, RBK said, citing two unidentified sources. It says Russian airlines that are unable to provide documents proving that their planes are “deregistered abroad” are banned from Chinese airspace.
China’s Civil Aviation Authority did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation and details of the decision.
President Xi Jinping’s government said in February that it had “unlimited” friendship with Moscow, but tried to distance itself from Putin’s war. Beijing has criticized Western sanctions, but appears to be avoiding steps that could be seen as helping Moscow for fear of possible sanctions against Chinese companies.
Add Comment