Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

The UK government has “indefinitely detained” two private jets owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire, Eugene Shvidler. In a March 26 statement, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that the Bombardier Global 6500 (tail number: LX-FLY)&nbsp;grounded at the London-area Farnborough Airport <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-03-09/uk-grounds-jet-farnborough-russian-sanctions-probe">on March 9</a> will not be returned to its owner, along with a Cessna Citation Latitude impounded at Biggin Hill Airport.

 


Shapps also "retweeted"&nbsp;a story in The Times newspaper reporting that an unspecified helicopter owned&nbsp;by Russia’s HeliCo Group also has been detained. “Since [Russian President Vladimir] Putin began his illegal assault [on Ukraine], I’ve held jets belonging to Eugene Svidler under investigation for three weeks,” he commented. "Now I am using my powers to detain them indefinitely. Putin’s friends who made millions out of his regime will not enjoy luxuries while innocent people die.”

 


The Global 6500 is registered with the European management and charter group Global Jet Luxembourg. The company has not responded to a request to comment from AIN.

 


After arriving on a flight from the New York-area Teterboro Airport, the aircraft had been due to fly on to Dubai, which, along with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2022-03-25/ec-transport-head-calls-out-turkey-increase-russia-flights">Turkey</a> and Israel, are reportedly becoming popular sanctuaries for wealthy Russians seeking alternative bases for private jets and yachts. No further details about the Citation Latitude have been confirmed.

 


In early March, the UK government introduced legislation&nbsp;making it a criminal offense to breach its ban on aircraft with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-03-10/russian-sanctions-could-dent-business-aviation-market">any connection to Russia</a> through registration or ownership, or even if it is chartered by Russian travelers.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

UK Indefinitely Detains Two Russian-owned Private Jets

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that a Global 6500 and a Citation Latitude owned by Eugene Shvidler have now been seized by the UK government.

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