Swedish company helps Russian elite bypass EU sanctions to vacation in Europe - French Alps among top destinations
Public broadcaster SVT can reveal how the Swedish tech company Avinode is being used by the Russian elite to circumvent sanctions. Representatives of the company have recommended that Russian client companies establish subsidiaries in third countries. Avinode declines to participate in an interview but states that measures have been taken, SVT reports.
Story by SVT's Maria Georgieva 23 April 2026 at 06:03 CET
Despite Russian private jets being banned in the EU following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, SVT’s investigation shows that Avinode is being used by the Russian elite—including oligarchs and individuals subject to sanctions—to continue flying internationally.
Avinode connects flight operators with aircraft brokers for private jet bookings.
However, several independent sources report that Avinode staff recommended Russian customers to re-register their companies in other countries when the sanctions were introduced.
SVT’s investigation reveals that Russian aircraft brokers have opened offices in countries such as Turkey, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates. In this way, they can conceal Russian connections and retain access to the European market despite the sanctions.
By posing as a representative of a sanctioned Russian citizen, SVT was offered trips by Russian brokers who confirmed that they use Avinode.
“The key issue is the extent to which the Swedish company Avinode knew that they were providing services to Russian customers, or to customers acting on behalf of Russians. If they knew this was the case, then in my view it would constitute a violation of the EU sanctions,” says sanctions lawyer Alexandre Prezanti.
CEO refuses interview
SVT has contacted Avinode’s CEO Oliver King and founder Per Marthinsson. The company has declined a recorded interview and has responded via email to some of SVT’s questions.
Avinode states that it has strengthened its customer due diligence since the invasion of Ukraine and has terminated cooperation with some of the companies featured in SVT’s investigation. The company admits shortcomings in its routines, but claims these were the result of actions by a single employee.
The company says it lacks sufficient documentation to terminate cooperation with some of the re-registered companies that SVT has identified.
“We still have no knowledge of any connection between these entities and persons or organizations subject to sanctions.”
The company further states that it does not have access to individual passengers’ personal data and is not responsible for checking it.
“The platform enables operators and brokers to be connected, but the final agreement for each individual flight is made between the operator and the broker and does not take place on Avinode’s platform.”
Facts about Avinode:
Avinode is a leading digital marketplace for private jet and business jet charter bookings, and controls approximately 80 percent of the world market, according to the company itself.
Avinode was founded in 2001 in Gothenburg by three Chalmers University students. The company is headquartered in Gothenburg.
Since 2024, Avinode has been owned by the American company CAMP Systems International (part of the Hearst Group), but it remains a Swedish company in terms of origin, registration, and operations in Sweden.
The system handles approximately 8 million searches and 13 million travel requests annually.
Oliver King is CEO of the European operations and legally responsible for Avinode AB. One of the founders, Per Marthinsson, is still the revenue director.
Source SVT: AI Translation
Public broadcaster SVT can reveal how the Swedish tech company Avinode is being used by the Russian elite to circumvent sanctions. Representatives of the company have recommended that Russian client companies establish subsidiaries in third countries. Avinode declines to participate in an interview but states that measures have been taken, SVT reports.
Story by SVT's Maria Georgieva 23 April 2026 at 06:03 CET
Despite Russian private jets being banned in the EU following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, SVT’s investigation shows that Avinode is being used by the Russian elite—including oligarchs and individuals subject to sanctions—to continue flying internationally.
Avinode connects flight operators with aircraft brokers for private jet bookings.
However, several independent sources report that Avinode staff recommended Russian customers to re-register their companies in other countries when the sanctions were introduced.
SVT’s investigation reveals that Russian aircraft brokers have opened offices in countries such as Turkey, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates. In this way, they can conceal Russian connections and retain access to the European market despite the sanctions.
By posing as a representative of a sanctioned Russian citizen, SVT was offered trips by Russian brokers who confirmed that they use Avinode.
“The key issue is the extent to which the Swedish company Avinode knew that they were providing services to Russian customers, or to customers acting on behalf of Russians. If they knew this was the case, then in my view it would constitute a violation of the EU sanctions,” says sanctions lawyer Alexandre Prezanti.
CEO refuses interview
SVT has contacted Avinode’s CEO Oliver King and founder Per Marthinsson. The company has declined a recorded interview and has responded via email to some of SVT’s questions.
Avinode states that it has strengthened its customer due diligence since the invasion of Ukraine and has terminated cooperation with some of the companies featured in SVT’s investigation. The company admits shortcomings in its routines, but claims these were the result of actions by a single employee.
The company says it lacks sufficient documentation to terminate cooperation with some of the re-registered companies that SVT has identified.
“We still have no knowledge of any connection between these entities and persons or organizations subject to sanctions.”
The company further states that it does not have access to individual passengers’ personal data and is not responsible for checking it.
“The platform enables operators and brokers to be connected, but the final agreement for each individual flight is made between the operator and the broker and does not take place on Avinode’s platform.”
Facts about Avinode:
Avinode is a leading digital marketplace for private jet and business jet charter bookings, and controls approximately 80 percent of the world market, according to the company itself.
Avinode was founded in 2001 in Gothenburg by three Chalmers University students. The company is headquartered in Gothenburg.
Since 2024, Avinode has been owned by the American company CAMP Systems International (part of the Hearst Group), but it remains a Swedish company in terms of origin, registration, and operations in Sweden.
The system handles approximately 8 million searches and 13 million travel requests annually.
Oliver King is CEO of the European operations and legally responsible for Avinode AB. One of the founders, Per Marthinsson, is still the revenue director.
Source SVT: AI Translation
Full 12 min video story: The Russian elite’s private jets and the Swedish tech success svtplay.se/video/ep3Xn43/…
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