Overview

• Since the EU imposed a flight ban on 28 February 2022, at least seven Russian-linked aircraft have been immobilized at German airports
• Among the grounded fleet are three Antonov An-124 freighters at Leipzig/Halle, a Boeing 737 and a Bombardier Challenger 300 at Köln/Bonn, and a Boeing 747 at Frankfurt-Hahn
• Investigations by the Zentralstelle für Sanktionsdurchsetzung into opaque cross-border ownership chains are preventing public disclosure and delaying asset release
• The Antonov An-124s had their engines removed during initial maintenance, leaving key components unaccounted for and undermining the prospects of flight
• Airports have accumulated substantial daily storage and upkeep costs, with only one aircraft—a leased Aeroflot A320—able to depart Munich in June 2024 after its back fees of roughly €460 000 were paid