Russia extends program to restore ageing planes as fleet shrinks

As the fleet of Russian airlines gradually decreases, authorities have extended a program to restore 12 ageing aircraft for use in civil aviation, according to the state corporation Rostec.

The program covers 12 aircraft — nine Tu-204/214, one An-148, and two Il-96. The restoration process began in 2022, and ten planes are already in operation. The remaining two old Tu-204s will be handed over to airlines within the next two years, Russian media outlet quotes Rostec's statement.

In addition, authorities may return two Boeing 747 aircraft — which stopped flying after the bankruptcy of Transaero ten years ago — to service. These planes are less fuel-efficient than the Boeing 777, but their use is justified amid a shortage of aircraft.

Earlier, the head of Russia’s aviation regulator, Dmitry Yadro, said that by 2030 the fleet of Russian carriers will lose 109 foreign aircraft and 230 Russian aircraft, meaning one-third of the existing fleet will be decommissioned.

Last year, Russia produced one civilian aircraft — the Tu-214. In 2022, it was expected that production of this model would rise to 10 units per year by 2025, but plans were reduced in 2024 to four units per year. Other Russian aircraft meant to replace foreign airliners — the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100), MC-21, and Il-114-300 — have still not been certified.

By Khagan Isayev