US To Seize 2 Roman Abramovich Private Planes Including 787 Dreamliner

Simple Flying

By Steven Walker

Published Jun 6, 2022

A seizure warrant has been signed for a Boeing 787 and Gulfstream G650ER belonging to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Russian businessman Roman Abramovich's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was identified by U.S. Commerce Department in June as having likely violated export controls. Photo: Stephan Tournay via Wikimedia Commons

A federal judge in New York has given the green light for the US Department of Justice to seize two aircraft belonging to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. The warrant authorizing the seizure was signed on Monday.The two aircraft in question are a Boeing 787 and a Gulfstream G650ER. According to court documents, the Boeing 787 is currently located in Dubai, and the Gulfstream aircraft is in Russia.

The reason for the seizure

Prosecutors have said that in March this year, both aircraft were flown to Russia in violation of US export sanctions that were imposed at the start of the conflict. These sanctions banned the export or transfer of aircraft and aircraft parts to or within Russia without a license.

According to court documents submitted by an FBI Agent,

No licenses were applied for or issued. Nor was any license exception available, including because the Boeing and the Gulfstream were each owned and/or controlled by a Russian national: Roman Abramovich.

More on Roman Abramovich

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought his Boeing 787 in December last year in a deal reported to be worth around $350 million. The aircraft (registration P4-BDL) underwent a luxury refurbishment, with seating for 50 passengers, bedrooms, a kitchen, and several bathrooms. The purchase was made to replace his previous private Boeing 767-300ER.

Abramovich's 787, known as The Bandit thanks to its unique livery, can be seen in full in the tweet below:

The seizure bid marks the latest in a series of sanctions on wealthy Russians deemed to have close ties to President Vladimir Putin. Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $12.9 billion.

Shortly after the start of the conflict in February, Abramovich announced that he would be selling Chelsea Football Club, which he had owned for almost two decades. Three months later, the sale of the club was approved for more than $3 billion. The club’s new owner is Todd Boehly, one of the co-owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, but the UK has ensured that Abramovich will not profit from the sale.

Abramovich previously owned this Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Photo: Aleksandr Markin via Wikimedia Commons

Impacts of current sanctions on Russian aviation

Numerous sanctions have been imposed on Russia’s aviation industry following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian airlines are currently banned from flying to or over most of Europe and North America. Boeing and Airbus are also blocked from selling aircraft, parts, or providing technical support in Russia.

The impact is being felt by airlines across the country, and the numbers speak for themselves. Before the conflict, national carrier Aeroflot flew to 53 countries around the world – it currently operates to just 13 of those. The airline’s passenger numbers dropped by a fifth in March compared to the same month last year.

National carrier, Aeroflot, has been severly impacted by the sanctions against Russia. Photo: Sumit Singh | Simple Flying

The UK Government recently announced that it would block three Russian airlines, Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, and Rossiya Airlines, from selling unused landing slots at London Heathrow Airport.

What do you think of this latest move against Russia's oligarchs? Share your thoughts by commenting below.