Inverness Airport embroiled in Ukraine sanctions row as Ross-shire MP Ian Blackford slams UK government 'negligence' claiming numerous 'loopholes' meant a Moscow-bound flight was allowed to depart
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Highland MP Ian Blackford has hit out at a massive “loophole” after Inverness Airport became embroiled in a row over sanctions on Russian aviation.
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP says UK Government "negligence" allowed an Estonian registered Learjet to depart Inverness airport for Moscow.
That is despite an airspace ban on Russian flights as parts of the sanctions introduced over the invasion of Ukraine.
In a Twitter exchange between Mr Blackford, the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps seemed to suggest Inverness Airport was at fault.
Mr Shapps said it is the duty of all aviators to check and comply with Notice of Air Missions (NOTAMs) claiming a NOTAM was published on Friday and when the airport “failed to comply” it triggered an “alert being sent”.
But Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) strongly denied the claims, saying the flight departed before the Civil Aviation Authority’s notification arrived that evening – after the flight left.
Mr Blackford wrote on Twitter: “This guidance was received by Hial last night after the jet to Moscow had departed.
“In accordance with NOTAM with effect from 21.00 on 25 Feb 2022 no commercial air transport service (charter or scheduled) or private flight, may be undertaken within United Kingdom airspace (including overflight, take-off or landing) by: any aircraft registered within Russia or; any aircraft (irrespective of the state of registry) owned, chartered or operated (where different from the owner) by, or a person connected to Russia; for the avoidance of doubt this includes flights by any air carrier licensed by Russia.
“What this does not cover is aircraft registered in a third country as this one was. I will be raising this tomorrow in Parliament. Grant Shapps needs to tighten the restrictions. We cannot have loopholes that allow flights with a final destination of Moscow.
“Also why were Hial only informed of this last night by the UK Civil Aviation Authority when the regulations came into force at 9pm the night before. This is not acceptable.”
Mr Shapps responded, saying: “Ian Blackford please note: NOTAMs are published online. As I know from being a pilot, it's the duty of ALL aviators to check NOTAMs and comply. Below was published on Friday & the fact that the airfield in question failed to comply led to the alert being sent!
Mr Blackford shot back: “You are missing my point if you read my tweet I pointed out this was checked through NATS who under your regulations gave permission to fly. Stop trying to deflect from your own negligence. You have left so many loopholes that this aircraft was allowed to depart.”
A spokesperson for HIAL said: “A private jet departed Inverness to Russia on the morning of Saturday February 26. This was prior to the CAA’s Siren notification to airports being received by HIAL at 1915 that day.
“Although the destination of the aircraft was Russia, it was Estonian registered and we do not know who chartered the aircraft or the nature of their connections with Russia.
“The handling company at Inverness, being aware of the NOTAM issued on Friday, in advance of the Siren Notification, liaised with UK agencies to satisfy themselves that the flight could depart given the destination and the rules on aircraft chartered by persons connected with Russia.
“On the day of departure, the air traffic controller on duty at Inverness, also sought and received confirmation from NATS Centre at Prestwick who are responsible for Transatlantic traffic that the aircraft could depart.”
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