Russia’s civil aviation sector is facing a deepening crisis due to sanctions and technical shortcomings. According to a report published by the Centre for Countering Disinformation (CPD), Russia risks losing 339 aircraft over the next five years. One of the most striking manifestations of the crisis has been the transportation of passengers on cargo aircraft without prior notice.
Passengers Transferred to a Cargo Aircraft
The report includes information shared by the Central Aviation Authority. Accordingly, passengers who had purchased tickets for a scheduled flight in the Irkutsk region were boarded onto an An-26 cargo aircraft instead of the passenger aircraft An-24, without being informed in advance.
The CPD report described the incident with the following statements:
“Passengers, including children, were forced to fly right next to a pile of cargo. Such cases show that the crisis in Russian aviation is no longer an exception but has become a systemic problem.”
Sanctions Have Paralyzed Aviation
The report emphasised that Western sanctions have deprived Russian aviation of spare parts, maintenance, and repair services. It stated that Russia cannot access the necessary technical support for Western-made aircraft, while domestic production is insufficient to fill this gap.
It was also noted that the next-generation Il-114-300 aircraft, expected to replace ageing aircraft in the fleet, have still not completed the certification process, and delivery dates continue to be postponed.
Official Forecast: Loss of 339 Aircraft
The most striking element revealing the scale of the crisis is the projections of Russian aviation authorities themselves. According to the report, Russia’s civil aviation fleet could lose 339 aircraft over the next five years.
The CPD included the following assessment:
“The transportation of passengers on cargo aircraft is a clear indication of how Russia’s civil infrastructure is deteriorating under the pressure of war and international isolation.”
Security Concerns in Civil Aviation Are Growing
According to experts, these developments pose serious risks in Russia not only operationally but also in terms of passenger safety and flight security. The inability to produce alternative solutions and the rapid ageing of the fleet indicate that the crisis in Russian aviation could deepen further.
