Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of reports that aircraft belonging to sanctioned individuals have continued to use UK airfields.

Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK government has shown there are massive consequences and a severe cost for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In coordination with our international allies and partners, we have developed and continue to expand an unprecedented package of sanctions.

Since 25 February Russian aircraft have been banned from entering UK airspace and landing in the UK.  This was strengthened on 8 March with the signing of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. It is now a criminal offence to breach the airspace ban and it has conferred powers on the Secretary of State to direct airport operators to detain Russian aircraft.

Since the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came into effect, we have detained three aircraft, and have held a further two aircraft while thorough investigations are carried out. We continue to work with the aviation industry and other Government departments to rigorously investigate any aircraft that the Department becomes aware of that may be connected with Russia. We will not hesitate to impose further detentions on aircraft connected with sanctioned individuals.