Russia Reaffirms Spare Parts Availability for Airliners
Vitaly Savelyev, the Russian Transport Minister, stated during a meeting with the State Duma Committee on Transport and Development of Transport Infrastructure that there has been no shift toward disassembly for spare parts. He stressed that Russian airlines operate with fully certified, high-quality spare components, making cannibalization unnecessary to address shortages. His remarks came as the country continues to monitor and support the resilience of its aviation sector.
Savelyev underscored that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has a decade ahead to roll out new aircraft models and strengthen the domestic fleet. Over those ten years, it is anticipated that current airliners will stay airworthy, thanks in part to ongoing maintenance practices and a steady supply of certified parts. The average age of the existing fleet is reported to be around 15 years, a factor guiding planning for future needs and replacements.
In related commentary, Denis Manturov, previously the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, indicated a plan to begin delivering domestically produced Superjet and MS-21 aircraft to neighboring nations before 2025. He noted that production facilities would be leveraged to replenish Russia’s own fleet while expanding regional presence. These statements reflect a broader strategy to balance domestic aviation capacity with regional cooperation and export opportunities.