Russia’s aviation industry is facing a major crisis as Western sanctions continue to take their toll.
Nearly three years after the start of the war in Ukraine, these measures are making it nearly impossible for Russian airlines to keep their fleets running.
With no access to critical parts or official maintenance for Airbus and Boeing planes, the country’s aviation sector is struggling to stay afloat.
Half of Russia’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo planes are now grounded due to maintenance problems.
These advanced aircraft are too complex to repair without the parts and expertise that Western companies used to provide, according to Ziare.
Russian airlines, including S7 Airlines, have been hit hard. S7 has 31 out of 39 A320neo and A321neo planes sitting idle.
The grounded planes are equipped with CFM International LEAP engines, which have worn out after only a few years of use.
Stretching Engine Life
Some airlines have put planes in reserve, hoping to stretch their engine life for peak travel times. But many of these aircraft may never return to service.
Reports suggest that between 15 and 20 of these grounded planes will likely stay that way. Eight A321neo planes have already been out of action since 2023.
Russian officials have talked about ramping up domestic aircraft production to replace foreign planes. However, these efforts have been slow and riddled with setbacks.
The PD-8 engines for Russia’s SuperJet program failed ground tests. The MC-21, another domestic aircraft project, has been delayed by increased weight, poor performance, and higher-than-expected costs.
China’s Comac C919 has been considered as a replacement, but it also relies on Western-made engines. With no easy alternatives, the problem keeps growing.
Experts predict that by 2026, many of the grounded planes will need to be retired completely.
The Kremlin is trying to downplay the crisis. Russia’s transport minister has accused Airbus of producing engines that weren’t fully developed.
But the reality is hard to deny. Western sanctions have dealt a heavy blow to Russia’s aviation sector, leaving its future uncertain.
