The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), at the twelfth meeting of the 179th session, expressed concerns about the security of Russian civil aviation and issued a corresponding “closed” notice to members of the organization on June 15. “Closed” because this document cannot be found on the ICAO website, but it nevertheless became public.
We are talking about the 18th article of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, which states that the registration of an aircraft in more than one state cannot be considered valid. After the introduction of sanctions against Russia by Europe and the United States in March 2022, more than 700 aircraft of Russian airlines were transferred to Russian jurisdiction, while remaining in the registers of foreign regulators.
Speaking in March at the Federation Council, Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev spoke of attempts to negotiate with leasing companies, but they "do not want to enter into negotiations." “Nevertheless, we do not lose hope, but we do not give up [aircraft]. Because to give means to leave yourself without aviation, ”he noted. “They will not be served in the West, they will not even be released [from Russia] due to the fact that we have taken someone else's property,” the minister said, answering a question from one of the senators.
The ICAO notice indicates that dual registration of aircraft relates to the international recognition of a radio license and to airworthiness certificates for airplanes. RBC referring to an aircraft certification specialist who wished to remain anonymous, writes that the country of registration issues a so-called radio license, allowing the use of certain frequencies by various aircraft equipment. At the same time, the firmware of the emergency radio beacon of the aircraft (ELT) is recorded, among other things, the registration number of the aircraft.
In accordance with the mechanism approved by the ICAO Council, the Russian aviation authorities are given 90 days (until September 14) to resolve issues with "there is a significant and still unresolved problem in the field of flight safety." Otherwise, on the ICAO website, where audit results flight safety, Russia will have a “red flag” and the Russian Federation will become the third country after Eritrea and Bhutan, where problems with ensuring flight safety are officially declared.