The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has fined Turkish charter company Air Sapphire $285,000 for conducting at least two charter flights to Russia using an American-made Gulfstream aircraft. These flights, deemed to violate sanctions, occurred in October last year from Istanbul to Tyumen, Russia, and in January this year from the Maldives to Moscow.
According to online information, this Ankara-based private jet leasing company also has an office in Dubai. The charter fees for the flights were paid by a non-Russian broker; however, the passengers on these flights included Russian Federation citizens, some holding Cypriot passports.
The U.S. Department of Commerce states that flying an American-made aircraft to Russia without a license breaches sanctions imposed on Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine. Matthew Axelrod, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, said, “Let this serve as a lesson to charter brokers and operators worldwide: If you facilitate such travel by violating our rules, you will pay a heavy price.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security noted that Air Sapphire admitted its wrongdoing and cooperated during the investigation. However, the company has yet to make a public statement on the matter.
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