The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has suspended all certificates it had issued for aircraft, equipment and organisations based in Russia, and placed responsibility for their regulatory oversight with local authorities. In a notice on EASA’s website detailing the restrictive aviation measures against Russia over the war in Ukraine, the EU regulator says the suspension includes approvals for flight simulation training devices and covers all certificate holders “located or residing in Russia, or otherwise subject to the [EU] sanctions”. Under the sanctions published in February, EASA type-certificate and design-approval holders are prohibited from providing any technical support – “directly or indirectly” – for the supply, manufacture, maintenance and operation of aviation and space technology “to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia or for use in Russia”, no matter whether or not the equipment or goods originated in the EU. “It is the responsibility of Russia as the state of registry or state of the operator, as the case may be, to decide on necessary actions to safeguard safety of the aircraft registered or operated in Russia,” EASA says. The EU regulator notes that its restrictions apply to the overhaul, repair, inspection, replacement, modification and defect rectification of aircraft and components, “with the exception of pre-flight inspection”. Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, MRO provider S7 Engineering and aircraft manufacturers Irkut and Tupolev feature on a list of entities that have had their EASA certificates suspended. Meanwhile, EU-based aircraft operators are prohibited from entering into wet-lease, dry-lease or codeshare agreements with Russian operators or in regard to Russian-registered aircraft. Lease approvals and codeshare agreements with Russian operators or aircraft registered there “should be revoked or terminated”, EASA adds. As part of the sanctions, the EU has banned Russian operators and aircraft – “regardless of their state of registry” – from flying through EU airspace. Exceptions exist for aircraft overflying or landing in EU territory in case of an emergency. Similarly, EASA says EU member states my grant approvals if “landing, take-off or overflight is required for humanitarian purposes or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of this regulation [restrictions]”. Third-country operator authorisations previously issued by EASA for Russian-based airlines have been suspended too.

Ural Airlines has suspended services to Kazakhstan, citing “the current geopolitical situation”. Flights to the Central Asian country will remain suspended until 30 April, the Russian carrier adds. Affected passengers can rebook with a departure before 30 May or apply for a refund.

Qantas has signed a deal with US biofuels company Aemetis to purchase almost 20 million litres (5.3 million USgal) of blended sustainable aviation fuel each year for its flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Australia, starting in 2025. This is Qantas’ second major offshore purchase of SAF with flights from London using a blend of sustainable fuel since the start of this year, the Australian airline says in a release today. The sustainable fuel will be produced at Aemetis’ plant currently under development in Riverbank, California. It will come from certified feedstock from waste products that is then blended with normal jet fuel. Qantas is pursuing a number of additional deals to add more SAF in the USA and other international airports. The national carrier says it is aiming to be net carbon neutral by 2050 and will outline an interim target later this month. Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce says “operating our aircraft with sustainable aviation fuel is the single biggest thing we can do to directly reduce our emissions”. Joyce adds: “We’re actively looking to source sustainable aviation fuel for our operations, and the deal we’re announcing today is hopefully one of many we’ll make as the market catches up to demand globally.” He states that Qantas has already committed A$50 million ($36 million) to support the development of a SAF industry in Australia.