Russia seeks easing of aviation sanctions - Reuters
Photo: sanctions hit Russia’s aviation industry (Getty Images)
Russia is seeking to have sanctions lifted on aircraft spare parts, which it describes as critical for safe flights, Reuters reports.
According to the report, Russia has appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ease the sanctions imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow claims that restrictions on aircraft spare parts have a critical impact on the safety of its civil aviation fleet.
Since February 2022, Western sanctions have limited Russia’s access to new foreign aircraft and spare parts for its existing fleet.
Sources indicate that Russian airlines have been compelled to procure spare parts for more than 700 aircraft, primarily Airbus models, through complex and indirect routes.
Moscow is seeking to lift these restrictions, arguing they violate international rules, while at the same time attempting to secure a seat on ICAO’s governing council, which consists of 36 states. This poses an additional challenge for the organization’s assembly in Montreal, which begins this week.
According to sources in Russian aviation, the Boeing and Airbus fleet in Russia is aging, and not all parts can be obtained even through indirect channels.
Meanwhile, official bodies such as Rosaviatsiya and the Russian Ministry of Transport have not commented on the situation. However, recent incidents — including the crash of a 1976 Antonov An-24 in the Far East that killed 48 people — highlight the problems facing the country’s civil aviation sector.
In documents submitted by Moscow to ICAO, Russia also criticizes the closure of airspace by 37 countries to Russian airlines, the suspension of aircraft airworthiness certificates, as well as bans on technical maintenance and insurance of aviation equipment.
Sanctions against Russia
Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western sanctions have restricted Russia’s access to foreign aircraft and spare parts.
With a fleet of more than 700 aircraft, mostly Airbus and Boeing, Russian airlines have been forced to seek necessary components through complex and indirect supply channels.
According to Reuters, Russian aircraft manufacturers have delivered only one out of 15 planned commercial aircraft this year.
Meanwhile, an investigation by Yle found that despite sanctions, Russia has managed to import over one billion euros’ worth of aircraft parts since 2022 — primarily components for Western-made Airbus and Boeing airliners.
Last week, the European Commission approved a new 19th package of sanctions against Russia. However, details are yet to be announced.
