Department of Transport Grants Permit to Russian Airline Abakan Air Despite US Sanctions
The Department of Transport has confirmed it approved a Foreign Operator’s Permit for Russian cargo airline Abakan Air to bring in general cargo, a civilian helicopter, and acrobatic aeroplanes. This decision has stirred up fresh worries about South Africa’s ties with the United States, as the airline faces American sanctions over its links to Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. The plane landed last week, offloading its goods before heading out empty, leaving many questions about what this means for the country’s foreign relations.
The permit comes at a tricky time, just after a key trade deal with the US ended, and echoes past rows like the one over a Russian ship in 2022. Officials say everything was done by the book, but critics are asking if enough checks were made on the airline’s background.
The Permit Application and Approval
Abakan Air put in its request for the Foreign Operator’s Permit on 09 September 2025. After going through the needed steps, the department gave the green light on 23 September 2025. The airline had to share details about the people sending and receiving the cargo, which were checked and confirmed in writing by the right company.
On top of that, Abakan Air had to team up with a regulated cargo agent based in South Africa, and this was also verified. The crew’s information and paperwork were handed over and looked at closely. The flight plan went through the Air Traffic and Navigation Services, where more details can be found if needed.
The department made it clearon Monday that South Africa has not put Abakan Air on any blacklist. They also said they have no records or tips from other governments about the airline being blocked elsewhere. This was to calm any fears that the permit broke rules or ignored warnings.
What Was on Board and Where It Landed
The cargo included everyday goods, a helicopter for civilian use, and aeroplanes built for acrobatic shows. These items were meant for delivery in South Africa, and the airline followed the rules for bringing them in.
The plane, an Ilyushin IL-76 with registration RA-76474, touched down at Upington International Airport in the Northern Cape on 02 October 2025. It came from Iran, stopping in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, along the way. Flight tracking showed it spent a good while in Iran before the trip, which has raised some eyebrows given the global tensions.
After landing heavily loaded, the aircraft offloaded everything at Upington. It then flew to Lanseria Airport near Johannesburg for fuel before leaving the country with an empty hold. This quick in-and-out has led to talk about what might have been in the cargo and why the plane left light.
Abakan Air is known for handling big loads, including things like radioactive materials in the past, but this flight was listed as non-military. Still, the airline has been flagged for not paying some bills, like fuel costs, putting it on debt watchlists.
Abakan Air’s Background and US Sanctions
Abakan Air is a Moscow-based outfit that flies cargo around the world. It got hit with sanctions from the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in June 2024. The Americans say the airline helped move military gear for Russia and backed its defence setup during the fight in Ukraine. This made Abakan Air and its planes off-limits for US dealings, part of a bigger push to squeeze Russia economically.
Even with that, South African officials say they did not know about these sanctions when they okayed the permit. They point out that no other country flagged the airline to them, and South Africa does not have its own ban in place. This has sparked debate about how well the department checks international lists before giving permits.
The airline has a track record of tricky flights, sometimes linked to sensitive areas. For example, its planes have been spotted in spots tied to global conflicts, adding to the worry about this landing.
Echoes of Past Tensions and Diplomatic Fallout
This is not the first time South Africa has been in the spotlight over Russian assets. Back in 2022, a ship called Lady R, also under US sanctions, docked at a naval base in Simon’s Town. The US ambassador claimed it picked up weapons for Russia, but a probe found no proof. That row left a mark on relations between Pretoria and Washington.
Now, with this plane, experts fear history is repeating. The African Growth and Opportunity Act, a trade deal that gave South Africa better access to US markets, ran out at the end of September 2025. Talks to renew it are ongoing, but moves like this could make things harder. Some US lawmakers are already pushing to review ties with South Africa, seeing it as too friendly with countries like Russia that clash with American interests.
South Africa sticks to a non-aligned stance, saying it wants talk over fights in the Ukraine situation. But allowing a sanctioned plane in could hurt investment and trade perks. Critics say it might push away big partners and make the economy suffer more.
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