China is closing its airspace to Russian re-registered aircraft

The Chinese Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) is prohibiting Russian Boeing and Airbus aircraft, which foreign leasing companies own, from flying through or landing in its airspace.

Western leasing companies that have terminated their contracts with Russian airlines due to the sanctions imposed on the country own a large portion of Russia’s comercial airline fleet.

Airlines have refused to return the planes and have re-registered them to the Russian register. In addition to this, Russian civil aviation rules were rewritten in March and May, removing various safety regulations related to the maintenance and certification of aircraft.

Russia has re-registered 360 aircraft since the start of March 2022, according to new data from consultancy IBA.

The CAAC has requested proof that the aircraft in question are no longer registered outside Russia. In May, the CAAC asked all airlines flying to China to update their electronic dossiers or portfolios, which contain information about the aircraft, airline owners, and ground handling contracts at airports. This is standard procedure by the CAAC and around the world.

Russian airlines have not been able to produce these documents. As a result, the Chinese aviation authorities, observing international ICAO regulations, have denied the operation of these aircraft in their airspace.