Revealing the penalty, Matthew S. Axelrod, from the department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said: “We will not permit Russian oligarchs – or any Russian national, for that matter – to charter luxury jets into Russia.” 

The assistant secretary for export enforcement added: “It doesn’t matter if a Russian national uses another passport, like from Cyprus as was the case here. Let this serve as a lesson to charter brokers and operators worldwide: if you facilitate such travel in violation of our regulations, you may pay a steep price.”  

Based in Ankara, Turkey, Sapphire operated two private charter flights carrying Russian nationals in a Gulfstream IV jet without a mandatory BIS licence. According to the settlement, Sapphire used the aircraft in October 2023 to fly two Russian nationals from Istanbul to Tyumen, in the Siberia n region of Russia. In January 2024, the company used the same jet to fly one dual national of Russia and Cyprus from the Maldives to Moscow.

BIS also handed Sapphire a two-year suspension of its US export privileges. These will be restored provided the company satisfies the terms of its settlement with the department and pays the civil penalty by August 29th 2025.

In addition to businesss jet charters, Sapphire also offers air ambulance and helicopter services.

CJI has asked Sapphire for a response to its agreement with the Department of Commerce.

The Vedder Price view

 Here, David M. Hernandez, shareholder, Vedder Price explains the significance of this enforcement action.

CJI: What message does this send to the global aviation industry?

David Hernandez (DH): The message of the recent enforcement action is that there are serious penalties for violating US sanctions related to flights to Russia. However, such illegal flights are very common, and many operators simply ignore or are unaware of U.S. sanctions. 

Enforcement is the exception, rather than the norm. The US government likely does not have the resources to catch everyone. I will stress that sanction enforcement has been increasing precipitously with greater detection, assistance from service providers, manufacturers, and the public. I have been receiving a constant flow of calls from potential clients seeking assistance with manufacturer denial of services or from parties involved in a transaction in which the aircraft has been operated to Russia in violation of the US sanctions. 

It is also important to note that US escrow agents are asking if aircraft have been operated in Russia because escrow agents have no desire to deal with a sanctioned Aircraft.

CJI: Do you expect similar cases to follow? 

DH: Absolutely, the US is significantly increasing its efforts and resources to identify and prosecute sanctions evaders. 

CJI: If so, why?

DH: The enforcement actions will continue because of greed. The money is significant and desperate operators will do risky things for money. People don’t think they will get caught until they are caught, and then it’s too late. 

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“Tim has developed strong relationships with Gulfstream customers in India, Pakistan, Africa and Turkey,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales, Gulfstream. “Tim’s knowledge, dedication and well-deserved promotion allow us to better meet the growing demand throughout the region and prioritise our sales presence to further support Gulfstream customers in the area.”

Wood previously held the role of regional sales manager for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia at Gulfstream.

Prior to joining Gulfstream, Wood was responsible for the business development of aircraft management in Europe for Gama Aviation and held a role in business development with the Royal Aeronautical Society. He graduated from The Royal Air Force College, Cranwell in the UK and served in the Royal Air Force for nearly eight years.

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The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria is thought to have surpassed 50,000. Both nations were devastated by two earthquakes on February 6th, followed by another two on February 20th.

The firm’s humanitarian Emergency Response Team said it has worked around the clock to source and secure aircraft in what has become a “volatile market with ever-dwindling capacities”.

Despite the challenges, Chapman Freeborn said it has chartered numerous aid flights to affected regions from the US, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Spain, Belgium, India, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Singapore and the Philippines.

Neil Dursley, chief commercial officer, Chapman Freeborn said he travelled to Dubai shortly after the first earthquake to meet with Giuseppe Saba, CEO, International Humanitarian City, to discuss how the firm could assist.

“The tragic situation in Turkey and Syria is heart-breaking,” said Dursley. “The Chapman Freeborn Emergency Response Team was activated immediately upon learning of the initial huge earthquake.”

According to Dursley, the years of civil war have made delivering aid to Syria very challenging. However, the firm said its team navigated embargoes and closed borders, negotiating with local authorities, to ensure the aid reaches those in need.

David Tasker, director, Government & Humanitarian, Chapman Freeborn said: “The worldwide compassion expressed following this disaster just underlines all that is good amongst the human race. The whole aviation industry and associated industries were quick to react, with Chapman Freeborn proud to be at the forefront with their support.”

The company, part of the Avia Solutions Group, said it will continue to deliver aid to the nations, where millions of people continue to be affected by the events.

“Our teams work relentlessly to help those in need and the efforts of the whole industry must be commended,” said Tasker. “We will of course continue to support people in the affected regions over the coming weeks and months.”

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Italian police said the suspects, held on warrants issued by Belgian authorities, are accused of charging around €10,000 ($10,000) each to smuggle the migrants. Eurojust report suspects charged as much as €20,000 per smuggled person. The police believe the suspects to belong to a criminal organisation aimed at abetting illegal immigration, according to Reuters. Two arrests were made in Belgium, three in Italy. 

The two aircraft, seized by Belgian police, are reportedly worth €426,000.

The suspects allegedly gave the migrants fake diplomatic identification papers from St. Kitts and Nevis and put them on flights heading to the Caribbean country with stopovers in Europe. Once in Europe, the migrants would declare their real identity and apply for asylum.

It is believed that, between October and December 2020, at least five smuggling operations took place in five different European countries. In addition, several plans were made to carry out other smuggling operations. 

Following a joint investigation by the five European authorities, an Italian man and two Egyptian men were detained in Rome, while another Egyptian and a Tunisian woman were arrested in Brussels. Two more suspects remain at large in Italy and Belgium, according to Italian police chief Costantino Scudieri.

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Built in 2012, Boeing BBJ 747-8 VQ-BSK / MSN 42096 was delivered to Qatar in 2015, after having its interior completed by Greenpoint Technologies at San Antonio, TX.

In airline service the aircraft could seat up to 400 passengers, but the VVIP conversion has seating for just 76 passengers and 18 crew.

The front of the aircraft boasts a VIP state room. Further back there is a main deck lounge and a separate conference room. At the rear of the aircraft there is a world-class medical room, along with a guest bedroom.

Before being handed over to Turkey the BBJ 747-8 had been one of three of the type in the Qatar Amiri Flight fleet.

Unlike the other two aircraft, VQ-BSK was registered in Bermuda. The other two aircraft are registered in Qatar with A7- marks.

The Boeing BBJ 747-8 arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara, now painted all white and registered as in Turkey as TC-TRK.

Once the aircraft is painted into the standard Turkish presidential aircraft colours it will be put into service alongside other aircraft in the Turkish fleet, which already includes an A318, two A319s, an A330-200 and an A340-500.

The gift comes following Turkey’s continued support of Qatar following the gulf states fall-out.

According to Turkey’s state-run broadcaster TRT, Sheikh Al Thani gifted the aircraft, with an estimated $400 million, to president Erdoğan due to “Thani’s special love for Erdoğan.”

However, opposition parties in Turkey questioned the timing of the gift. Turkey’s currency, the lira, has lost over 40% of its value so far in 2018, and inflation is running at one of its highest levels for many years.

Turkish finance minister Berat Albayrak has cut Turkey’s economic growth forecast for the year from 5.5% to 3.2% in 2018 and down even further to 2.3% in 2019.

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A Bell 429 helicopter operated by the Turkish National Police.

Bell Helicopter has announced that it has delivered the first seven of 15 Bell 429s to the Turkish National Police on or ahead of schedule.

“With the most advanced technology available in the industry, the Bell 429 helicopter enables our police force to serve and protect our country more safely and efficiently,” said Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defence Industries in the Republic of Turkey.

“We’d also like to thank the team at Bell’s Piney Flats facility as they went above and beyond to make sure we received the best support and service possible throughout these deliveries.”

Bell Helicopter, which is part of Textron, expects to deliver the remaining Bell 429s during next year.

“Our collaboration with the Turkish National Police is a prime example of providing a highly customisable helicopter to meet our customers’ critical mission needs,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter’s executive vice president of sales and marketing. “The Bell 429 met the Turkish National Police’s requirements for a multi-mission platform with exceptional speed, power and performance, even at peak altitudes.”

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HBC’s analysis reveals that
business aircraft deliveries to the region increased by 509% over the
period of 2007-2011 when compared to 2002-2006.

In addition, Turkey, which
saw a 10% increase in foreign direct investment from 2007-2011, experienced a 4% increase in
business flights over the first half of 2012 when compared to the same period
the previous year, rising from an average of 101 flights per day to 105 per
day. Meanwhile, two of its busiest business airports – Sabiha in Istanbul and Esenboga in Ankara – saw business air traffic increase by
65 percent and 20 percent respectively over the same period.

Air traffic within Turkey
comprises of more than two thirds of all business air travel, with an average
of 34 flights per day over the first half of 2012 representing an annual
increase of nine percent.

In March 2012, it was reported
that Turkey
had 34 billionaires – representing 2.9% of the global population – with
a combined wealth of $54.3 billion. Furthermore, it was estimated that in 2011
the Middle East held around 450,000 HNWIs – an
annual increase of 2.7% – with a total wealth of $1.7 trillion.

“Turkey
benefits from its unique geographical situation, straddling both Europe and
Asia, and is fast becoming a hub for business travel,” said Sean McGeough, HBC
president, Europe, Middle East, Africa and
Asia Pacific. “Turkish businesses are able to deal with the more established
Western markets and are also profiting from the high growth rates being
experienced in the Middle East and Asian
economies. As a result, the country is attracting large amounts of foreign
investment interest and creating a lot of personal and corporate wealth.”

McGeough continued: “As the
market leader in our competitive segments in Turkey, we’re in a great place to
take advantage of this and we’ve identified it as one of our key growth markets
in the EMEA region over the next few years.”

HBC displayed three aircraft
at the recent AIREX aviation exhibition in Istanbul; a Hawker 900XP executive jet, a Beechcraft King Air 350ER
and a King Air 250.

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“Turkey is a very important
market for Embraer Executive Jets since it is the geographic and economic
center of the Eurasian market and Airex constitutes a unique rendezvous at
which to present our aircraft solutions,” said Colin Steven, Embraer vice
president, marketing and sales – Europe, Africa and the Middle
East, Executive Jets. “Embraer Executive Jets, along with Delta
Aerospace, Embraer Executive Jets’ authorized sales representative, sees huge
potential in the Turkey
and Eurasian markets which have seen a steady growth in executive aviation. Our
aircraft are perfectly designed for the Eurasian market, offering superior
space and comfort, excellent performance and low operating costs. Meeting
customer needs is the focus of the design of Embraer’s executive jets, which
enjoy great acceptance, worldwide.”

In June 2012, the Phenom 300 executive jet was certified and delivered in Turkey.

The post Embraer displays three aircraft at AIREX in Istanbul appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

“Due to its location between
two continents, AIREX Turkey has become an important business aviation event
for both the European and Asian markets,” said Sean McGeough, HBC president,
Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
“Turkey
is considered an international aviation hub with approximately 75 business
turbine aircraft registered there. Research shows that of those aircraft, HBC
owns an 81 percent market share of business turboprops and a 35 percent share
of business jets.”

According to JETNET data,
the models among HBC business jets registered in Turkey range from a Beechcraft
Premier I to a Hawker 4000, with the most popular being the Hawker 900XP,
Hawker 800/850 and Hawker 400A/400XP. The King Air turboprops registered in Turkey cover
all three current production models, with the most popular being the B200/250
and C90.

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“We are very pleased that the concept of teaming up our local knowledge
with ExecuJet’s service expertise and international profile has been successful
already” states Hakan Celt, president Bilen Air Service. “After signing the
strategic partnership with ExecuJet we have had 14 new foreign operators using
our services already! It is a reaffirmation to us that taking this step was the
right one going forward.”

Mark Abbott, ExecuJet Group FBO director says “Both companies have put a
lot of effort in this cooperation and I am very happy that their work is
already getting some positive feedback. We are very much looking forward to the
coming months.”

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