President Putin's approval of the law comes at a time when many foreign companies have called on Russia to return the aircraft it has leased in the wake of Western economic and trade sanctions on Russia.
According to official Russian statistics, 75% of the aircraft used by Russian airlines are leased or leased. The number of these planes is 515 with a total value of more than ten billion dollars.
If Russia had to return the planes, Russia's airspace could be completely deserted in terms of passenger planes.
Under a new law designed to avoid this potential crisis, foreign aircraft will be registered in Russia so that "there is no disruption to the civil aviation sector" and flights continue to operate as usual.
The Kremlin has taken this step after Bermuda and Ireland announced that the two countries would not issue certificates to the contracted aircraft following the imposition of sanctions on Russia. Remember that almost all passenger planes used by Russia are registered in Bermuda and Ireland.
Under the new law, Russia seeks to complete the process of registration and issuance of foreign aircraft within the country, but even after this move, Russia will be able to continue flights only within the country or some of its allies. Will be able to maintain air connectivity with countries.
Closed airspace
Since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Western companies have been canceling the leases of their planes held by Russian airlines and demanding that Russia return their planes. The United States, the European Union and many others Most international flights from Russia have been suspended since the countries banned Russian planes from entering its territory.
The passage of the new law by President Putin has not only sparked a new debate among international aviation experts, but has also created uncertainty among Russian airlines.
A Russian airline source told Reuters: "We hope that these planes will not be registered in Russia, because we want to return these planes to the relevant companies. If the planes are registered in Russia, the Russian airline will also be complicit in the crime. Although the new law provides for the registration of foreign aircraft in Russia, it is not necessary for airlines to do so. This (law) is the first step towards 'hijacking' the planes.
But the Russian government insists that some "special measures" must be taken in response to Western sanctions. It should be noted that President Putin interprets these sanctions as a "declaration of invade on Russia."
In response to Western sanctions, the Russian presidential palace announced on Tuesday that Russia would impose sanctions on several US government officials, including US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blanken.
The far-reaching consequences of the law
The BBC's Theo Leggett says Russia currently owns hundreds of aircraft from foreign companies and is providing contracted aircraft in order to comply with sanctions imposed on Russia and avoid any legal complications.
Companies are trying to get their planes back. But the chances are slim. If Russia does not return the billions of dollars worth of these planes, it could continue to use them only inside the country and within the airspace of a few former Soviet states.
Stealing a plane and operating it despite the expiration of the contract are two very different things.
If Russia does not return the aircraft to related companies, sanctions will not allow Airbus and Boeing aircraft to be sold to Russia. This means that if these aircraft need to be repaired, Russia will have to use spare parts for another aircraft or buy spare parts from a third company. If Russian companies do so, it could have profound effects.
Maintenance and service of these aircraft will also be a major issue, as many aircraft will have to be sent for service simultaneously after registration in the country. And then when the Ukraine crisis is over, Russia may have to pay a lot of money to keep these planes.
If these aircraft are not properly maintained then their cost will be very low. Thus, even if the companies concerned take back their aircraft, they can demand compensation from Russia.
The business of civil aviation and airlines is an international business and you have to respect international laws.
Russia may now decide to make fun of the rest of the world, but one day it will have to return to the international community, and the situation may be very difficult for it at this time.
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