Canadian judge upholds sanctions against Volga-Dnepr Airlines

Volga-Dnepr Airlines Canadian sanctions Antonov-124 Russian cargo airline Federal Court of Canada

A Canadian Federal Court judge has denied a request for sanctions relief from Volga-Dnepr Airlines, Russia’s largest air cargo carrier. The airline had sought a judicial review of the federal government’s decision to maintain sanctions on the company and its former chairman.

Global Affairs Canada maintains that the airline played a critical role in helping the Russian regime bypass sanctions to obtain goods for sensitive or military-related sectors. The government noted that the company has benefited from Russian government contracts and subsidies intended to circumvent international restrictions.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines argued in court that it has not been complicit in the invasion of Ukraine and has refused to carry military cargo since 2018. However, the judge ruled that the airline failed to demonstrate that the government's decision was unreasonable or lacked procedural fairness.

The dispute involves an Antonov-124 transport plane that was seized by Canada and has remained grounded at Pearson International Airport for over four years. The airline is pursuing an international arbitration process and has indicated it may seek US$100 million in damages if it cannot recover the aircraft.

Entities

Global Affairs Canada · Mélanie Joly · Pearson International Airport · Robert Brookfield · Volga-Dnepr Airlines

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Global Affairs Canada stated the airline helped the Russian regime bypass sanctions to obtain sensitive or military-related goods. cfjctoday.com · toronto.citynews.ca
[● 3 SOURCES] A Federal Court judge denied a plea for sanctions relief from Volga-Dnepr Airlines. cfjctoday.com · toronto.citynews.ca
[○ 1 SOURCE] The airline may seek US$100 million in damages if it cannot recover its aircraft. cfjctoday.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Canada seized an Antonov-124 transport plane owned by the airline at Pearson International Airport. toronto.citynews.ca
[● 2 SOURCES] Volga-Dnepr Airlines argued it has not been complicit in the military invasion of Ukraine and has refused military cargo since 2018. cfjctoday.com · toronto.citynews.ca