Russia’s ambitions to rebuild its domestic commercial aircraft industry have suffered a major setback, with only one of 15 planned passenger jets delivered so far this year, according to data from Swiss aviation intelligence firm ch-aviation. The shortfall reflects both the impact of Western sanctions and the broader slowdown gripping Russia’s industrial sector.
Since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, sanctions have cut off access to foreign-made aircraft and spare parts, leaving Russia’s largely Airbus- and Boeing-dominated fleet dependent on complex, indirect import channels for critical components. “There is no component base, no technology, no production facilities, no engineers,” said a Russian aviation industry source, warning that developing such infrastructure would take years.
The shortage comes amid mounting safety concerns. In late July, a 1976-built Antonov An-24 crashed in Russia’s far east, killing 48 people, while a cyberattack days later forced flag carrier Aeroflot to ground dozens of flights.
Production delays have forced the government to slash targets repeatedly. Originally aiming to deliver 171 new aircraft in 2024–2025, officials cut that to 21 last year, and now say goals will be revised again. State conglomerate Rostec has pushed back serial production of the MC-21, SJ-100, and IL-114 jets to 2026, two years later than planned.
Despite efforts to localise manufacturing, customs records show Russia continues to import key components through intermediaries in Turkey, China, Kyrgyzstan, and the UAE, including parts from Safran, Honeywell, and Rolls-Royce. There is no evidence the companies violated sanctions, and Honeywell said it is actively blocking third-party diversions.
Industry Minister Anton Alikhanov has called the challenge “hypercomplex,” noting that no other country produces fully import-substituted planes. With supply constrained and demand strong, ticket prices have surged, and Moscow has even asked Central Asian airlines to operate domestic routes inside Russia.
The aviation sector’s troubles mirror wider industrial weakness, with factory output in July contracting at its fastest pace since early 2022. Economists warn the combination of sanctions, high interest rates, and faltering investment is pushing Russia’s industrial base toward recession.
Written By Rodney Mbua
