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- Western sanctions against Russia are also having an impact on Swiss soil.
- Jets from the Russian super-rich are grounded at Basel Airport, as research by SRF Investigativ shows.
- Because the EU and Switzerland blocked the airspace for Russian planes – and they’ve been stuck ever since.
One of the planes at Euroairport Basel is said to be Roman Abramovich’s luxury plane. The plane, which is attributed to Abramovich, was last in London and was flown from there to Basel at the end of February.
Legend:
This is what Roman Abramovich’s luxury plane looks like.
SRF
His plane has become a symbol of the luxury of Russian billionaires. In recent weeks, Abramovich, like many other so-called oligarchs, has come under increasing pressure over his years of closeness to Vladimir Putin. Although Abramovich is not sanctioned, the airlock still affects him.
Difficult review
On February 28, the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (Bazl) closed Swiss airspace to Russian airlines and aircraft belonging to Russian nationals. And companies? “The Bazl or the European civil aviation authorities are not in a position to completely check the ownership of Russian aircraft,” says Christian Schubert from the Bazl. That is why it was decided to publish a so-called Notam – a Notice to Airmen. “These are the rules of the game that define the use of Swiss airspace and the rules of the game must be observed by air traffic control, the airlines and the pilots.”
The Bazl is not in a position to completely check the ownership of Russian aircraft
According to the Notam, aircraft owned by Russian nationals or companies are not allowed to pass through Swiss airspace, take off or land. Anyone who violates this pays high fines. The Federal Council decided this last week. Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis said: “Switzerland is adopting the European Union’s sanctions packages of February 23rd and 25th. The assets of the listed persons will be blocked with immediate effect.”
Half a dozen private planes parked
The EU sanctions are aimed at finance and luxury goods, for example. In France and Italy, the authorities have confiscated the first villas and yachts belonging to Russian nationals in recent days. Airplanes are affected by the grounding, even if the owners are not on any sanctions lists.
Legend:
Spotted at Euroairport Basel: Roman Abramovich’s jet.
SRF
At Euroairport Basel there are currently more than half a dozen private planes that belong to Russians or have come to Basel from Russia in the last few weeks. Aviation specialist Michael Schhrender worked at the Euroairport in Basel for a long time and knows why the super-rich fly their planes to Basel. «We have absolute specialists at Euroairport who take good care of all the technical matters for private jets. For that reason, especially now, being able to use the infrastructure is important. But of course people like to come here because they can combine it with banking or a visit to the doctor.”
Abramovich, Vekselberg, Prokhorov
For the time being, there is no way out of Basel for a jet operated by the Russian energy company Lukoil. The plane that is said to belong to billionaire Viktor Vekselberg or that of Mikhail Prokhorov is also grounded. Prokhorov became rich with metals such as nickel and gold. He too has ties to the Kremlin.
Like Roman Abramovich and Viktor Vekselberg, Prokhorov has not yet been sanctioned in Switzerland, but their planes have been grounded. The air lock applies until the end of March.