Siberian Flight Plans Grounded by Lack of Small Aircraft

Russia's regional flight plans in Siberia have been grounded due to a shortage of small aircraft. The routes from Novosibirsk to Strezhevoy and Belokurikha were supposed to launch, but officials blame the lack of suitable planes. According to local official Guselnikov, the main reason is the failure of a project to modernize the Soviet-era An-2 aircraft.

The plan was to rely on the old An-2 after a major overhaul, replacing its avionics and engine with an American Honeywell turboprop engine. However, this plan stalled due to deteriorating relations with the West, which prevented Russia from receiving the necessary engines or licenses.

Without suitable aircraft, new regional flights remain unlaunched, despite plans announced as early as 2024. Officials cite the enormous distances between Siberian settlements and the failure of plans to modernize the An-2 as reasons for this.