The Isle of Man, a British Crown agency that is chosen as a tax haven by tycoons around the world, removed the licenses of at least 18 aircraft registered in that country. Among them, a helicopter linked to the superyacht of Russian millionaire Roman Abramovich, owner of the English club Chelsea. The measure implies that all such aircraft cannot be flown legally in the United Kingdom or the European Union, as they need to be registered to do so.
Located in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland, the island has an aircraft registry that includes high-end private and corporate jets, as well as helicopters. Registering the island may allow millionaires to evade taxes paid on such vehicles in other countries. The Isle of Man is known as a low-tax economy or tax haven.
As reported by The Guardian, a spokesman for the island's government said that the connection between aircraft registered in that country and Russian oligarchs is being “reviewed as a matter of the highest priority.” The same spokesman assured that the Isle of Man aircraft registry had acted “proactively and soundly” since the imposition of sanctions, working in cooperation with the United Kingdom Department of Transport.
The registry, known as Iomar, is “obliged to act appropriately in accordance with such measures, and in these circumstances an aircraft would be canceled following the required legal and regulatory processes,” he added.
So far, Iomar canceled the registration of 18 aircraft and has stated that more cancellations are likely to occur in a “rapidly evolving situation”.
The Isle of Man measures reinforce the UK and EU ban on all Russian aircraft flying in their airspace as part of sanctions imposed following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
An Airbus helicopter, which previously operated in conjunction with Roman Abramovich's superyacht My Solaris, was removed from the island's registry this week, according to the English newspaper. A private jet owned by Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, a Gulfstream G650, is also among the 18 aircraft withdrawn from the register. Also an aircraft of Oleg Tinkov, a Russian oligarch not affected by sanctions until now.
Abramovich's superyacht stars these days on a long journey at full speed with which its owner seeks to avoid being confiscated. The boat left Barcelona on March 8. Public maritime traffic tracking applications showed that the $600 million vessel anchored last weekend in Tivat, Republic of Montenegro. The country is not yet part of the European Union and is not obliged to abide by sanctions against Russian oligarchs.
Last Sunday the 140-meter-long yacht also left that port and is now sailing across the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Greece. And some European media reports indicate that he is heading to Istanbul, Turkey.
The mega yacht, which has electric motors, has 48 cabins, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa and a helipad. Its estimated crew is around 60 people. And the Airbus helicopter removed from the Isle of Man records recently operated in conjunction with this vessel.
Abramovich, ranked as the eighth richest man in Russia, has wealth in excess of USD 13 billion. It has stakes in Russian steel company Evraz (28.64%, according to SkyNews) and Norilsk Nickel. On Monday he was photographed at Istanbul airport and, three days ago, his private plane landed in Tel Aviv.
The Russian oligarch also owns a fleet of luxury cars. Abramovich's car list features two Mercedes-Maybach 62 limousines valued at $1.3 million each, and a Rolls-Royce Corniche, which costs approximately $800,000. Abramovich also owns a luxurious 15-room residence in the elegant London neighborhood of Kensington.
My Solaris is not the only asset of Abramovich who is trying to escape sanctions today. Another superboat owned by him, Eclipse, is currently sailing the Mediterranean Sea without knowing what his port of destination will be.
KEEP READING: