Russia's Airlines Hesitant to Replace Domestic Fleet with Foreign Planes

Russian airlines are hesitant to replenish their fleets with Boeing and Airbus aircraft through the secondary market, despite complex supply schemes available.

Aviation expert Oleg Panteleev states that even though sanctioned carriers can find aircraft on the secondary market and build complex supply chains, a large-scale return of Western wide-body aircraft to the Russian fleet is unlikely.

Panteleev notes that while there are precedents in other countries, such as Iran's airlines using similar schemes, Russian airlines have yet to implement any major projects for importing foreign aircraft. If they do, it will likely be on a small scale.

The expert also cautions against counting on the complete lifting of sanctions, even if restrictions are ever removed, access to Western technology may not remain constant.