Russian airlines operating with 19% of fleets grounded

Dhaka: Russian airlines weakened by international sanctions are currently operating with around 19% of their aircraft fleets grounded this summer, according to research by Kommersant.

On June 29, the Russian news outlet reported that across 11 Russian airlines, accounting for over 90% of all travel, 130 of 673 aircraft were out of action, with maintenance requirements the main driver.

When the Russian state-owned Aeroflot group, comprising Aeroflot, Rossiya, and Pobeda, is removed from the list, the number of grounded aircraft rises to a third of available fleets.

Typically, around 10% of aircraft await repair during summer, according to industry sources.

Based on data from flight tracking platforms and other sources, Aeroflot had 4% of its fleet grounded, while Rossiya Airlines had 22%. Pobeda Airlines currently operates its entire fleet.

The grounded aircraft include both Airbus and Boeing planes, with some placed in storage.

A third of S7 Airlines' fleet is not operating this summer, including 32 A320neo family aircraft, while Ural Airlines has grounded 10 (19%) of its 51 aircraft. Utair had nine (15%) planes grounded, Nordwind Airlines 12 (44%), and Smartavia 13 (23%).

Azur Air has six aircraft flying out of a possible 23, following an investigation by the aviation regulator into engine issues.

Red Wings has five (19%) of its 26 planes grounded, and 21% of Azimut's fleet is non-operational.

Sources Kommersant spoke to suggested that, given Russia has faced over four years of the current situation, this was a "good indicator" of the industry's resilience.