Russian Airlines Have Imported Over
$1
Billion In Parts For Airbus &
Boeing
Aircraft Since May 2022
Sanctions by the West were imposed in February 2022 following Russia's
invasion of Ukraine.
SUMMARY
Russian airlines have circumvented
Western sanctions by importing over
$1.2 billion worth
of Airbus and Boeing parts through countries
unaffected by the restrictions.
Safety challenges plague the Russian aviation
Sector as inspections reveal components past
their operational lifespan.
Security concerns in Moscow airspace arise
from drone strikes, leading Turkmenistan
Airlines to suspend operations between
Ashgabat and Moscow due to safety fears.
Russian airlines have managed to import approximately $1.2
billion worth of parts for Airbus and Boeing aircraft since May 2022, according
to a report by Reuters. This loophole has allowed Russian-registered planes to
continue flying, bypassing Western sanctions aimed at restricting the access of
parts for their Airbus and Boeing fleets.
The
customs data seen by Reuters revealed that Ural Airlines has imported more than 20 US-made equipment
pieces, including Northrop Grumman devices, cabin pressure valves, cockpit
displays, landing gear, telephone headsets, and toilet seats.
These
imports were facilitated by countries like Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), Turkey, China, and Kyrgyzstan, according to the report. None of these
nations have aligned themselves with Western sanctions against Russia.
Safety challenges
In the
aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the aviation
industry has been subject to strict international sanctions. These sanctions
have effectively barred Russian-registered and affiliated aircraft from
accessing the airspace of Canada, the US, Europe, and several other countries.
Photo: Markus
Mainka/Shutterstock
Also,
the major aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing, have halted the
supply of spare aircraft parts for Russian aircraft. However, Russia's aviation
sector remains heavily reliant on Western-made aircraft.
To put
it into perspective, the country's flag carrier Aeroflot Group currently
operates a fleet of 366 aircraft, of which only 77 are Sukhoi Superjet 100s,
Russia's domestically-produced narrowbody aircraft. Another large Russian
airline, S7 Airlines, currently operates 99 aircraft, of which none are
Russian-manufactured aircraft, according to Planespotters.net.
Photo: dentorson
| Shutterstock
In
addition, an investigation by Proekt Media has found that Aeroflot instructed
its aircraft personnel not to record in-flight malfunctions unless specifically
directed to do so by the captain.
Security concerns in Moscow airspace
Besides
the difficulties in sourcing aircraft spare parts, Russia's aviation sector has
also had to contend with a series of drone strikes in Moscow, the country's
capital. In August 2023, a drone strike targeted a skyscraper under
construction, followed by another strike in central Moscow in June 2023
As a
result of these drone strikes, Turkmenistan Airlines
suspended its operations between the country's capital, Ashgabat, and Moscow,
Russia, beginning August
1, 2023. The news was a direct response to these drone attacks, citing safety
concerns. However, the airline did not suspend its services in Russia. It is
worth noting that Turkmenistan Airlines was the sole airline to choose
suspension of operations in the Russian capital.
Moscow
has repeatedly accused Ukraine of being behind these strikes, but Ukraine has
not claimed any responsibility for any attacks.
Sources: Reuters, Planespotters.net, El Pais
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