Bermuda has issued a license to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bermuda (BCAA) that eases some trade sanctions and supports the return of aircraft registered in Bermuda that are currently in Russia. This development was reported by Interfax. The move is designed to facilitate operational flexibility for aircraft on a global network while maintaining compliance with Bermuda’s regulatory framework and international aviation rules.
Two conditions govern flights under this license. First, the flight must be conducted on behalf of the actual owners who are not citizens of the Russian Federation. Second, the aircraft must operate to a destination outside of Russia. Taken together, these criteria establish a narrow but significant pathway for privately owned and commercially operated aircraft to resume international travel from Russian airports under Bermuda registration.
Under the terms of the license, the BCAA will have the authority to issue individual flight permits to both private individuals and licensed corporate entities. This creates a clear permitting channel for flights that meet the specified ownership and destination criteria, enabling smoother coordination with other regulatory authorities and airlines that rely on Bermuda-registered aircraft for global operations.
Earlier reporting indicated that certain airports in the southern and central regions of Russia were subject to flight restrictions. The Federal Air Transport Agency released a statement outlining these constraints. The airports affected include Anapa, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Gelendzhik, Krasnodar, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov-on-Don, Simferopol, and Elista, where flights were temporarily limited. This temporary restriction framework has implications for route planning and carrier scheduling for operators with Bermuda-registered aircraft that might otherwise seek access to Russian airspace or overflight permissions during this period.
Airlines and operators have been advised to consider alternative gateways for passenger movements. Suggested options include airports in Sochi, Volgograd, Mineralnye Vody, Stavropol, and Moscow, which remain available for passenger traffic and services. Beyond these hubs, other airports within Russia were reported to be functioning with normal schedules, indicating a mixed environment for flight operations as regulatory adjustments unfold.