Russian airlines are successfully managing the risks associated with international operations by significantly reducing the instances of dual registration of foreign aircraft. This has not only expanded opportunities for international flights but also minimized potential legal claims from Western insurers.
Following the introduction of sanctions in 2022, Russian airlines actively began transferring their aircraft from foreign registries to the Russian registry. As of the beginning of 2025, out of 745 aircraft registered in Bermuda before the sanctions were imposed, 365 had been transferred to the Russian registry. As a result, more than 500 aircraft, including SSJ-100 aircraft, can now operate international flights.
Dual registration, in particular, created significant difficulties for the operation of these aircraft abroad, as many countries suspended the validity of airworthiness certificates for such aircraft. Eliminating this problem was an important step in simplifying international operations and restoring trust from foreign partners.
The transfer of aircraft to the Russian registry was carried out with state support, including subsidies from the National Welfare Fund (NWF). For example, Aeroflot transferred more than 190 aircraft to the Russian registry.
Many aircraft still remain the property of foreign or quasi-Russian entities, which creates legal and economic difficulties in the process of their full localization. This continues to be an important challenge for Russian aviation, requiring further steps to resolve the issue of ownership and maintain the operational readiness of aircraft.
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