Maintaining Russia's Western Jet Fleet: A Strategic Approach

Despite Western sanctions aimed at preventing Russian carriers from procuring parts for their Western-made jets, Russian airlines have managed to import over $1.2 billion worth of aircraft parts since May 2022, according to customs records. The parts range from essential components like navigation systems to more mundane items like coffee makers and toilet seats. Russian airlines have found alternative supply channels through middlemen in countries that have not endorsed Western sanctions, such as Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, and Kyrgyzstan. The sanctions have made life more difficult for Russia's aviation sector, but Russian carriers still have hundreds of Western planes in active service or under maintenance.