During a briefing to the State Duma Committee on the Development of Transport and Transport Infrastructure, Russia’s Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev outlined government plans to bolster the aviation sector with substantial funding aimed at procuring aircraft from foreign leasing partners. The minister indicated that state support for fleet renewal and leasing arrangements would run into tens of billions of rubles, underscoring a strategic push to stabilize air travel capacity amid ongoing international constraints. This emphasis on funding aligns with ongoing efforts to refresh the national fleet and secure critical long-range assets for national carriers. The remarks appear in the context of broader policy measures designed to keep Russia’s air transport system operational and resilient under the current sanctions environment.
Aeroflot has announced progress, reporting the acquisition of ten long-range aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet modernization. The airline and government spokespeople have repeatedly highlighted the importance of expanding access to modern aircraft to sustain network coverage and improve service reliability for travelers and businesses alike.
Savelyev noted that a portion of the fleet remains abroad due to sanctions, with more than seventy aircraft still tied up outside Russia. He stressed the importance of prioritizing domestic operations and minimizing disruptions for passengers. In Russia, a total of 1,297 aircraft are currently in active service, of which 1,167 are configured for passenger transport, reflecting a robust civil aviation sector despite external pressures.
Earlier reporting from Bloomberg described how the Russian aviation industry has endured through a challenging period, continuing to operate a substantial number of aircraft despite sanctions. The latest figures indicate that, a year after the onset of the military operation in Ukraine, Russian airlines are operating a mix of Airbus and Boeing units, with 467 such aircraft currently in service, down from 544 a year earlier. This trajectory underscores ongoing adjustments within the fleet and the industry’s capacity to sustain operations under complex geopolitical conditions.