Russian airlines, including Aeroflot, have begun dismantling aircraft to obtain replacement parts that can no longer be purchased abroad due to Western sanctions. This was reported on Monday, August 8, by Reuters, citing four industry sources.

As the agency noted, the measures are in line with recommendations from the Russian government in June, which advised scrapping several aircraft to ensure the remaining foreign aircraft can continue flying until at least 2025.

Sanctions imposed on Russia since it went to war in Ukraine in late February prevent its airlines from obtaining parts or maintenance from the West.

“Dismantling of Airbus A350, almost new”

At least one Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 and Airbus A350 aircraft – practically new, according to the source – is being dismantled for parts, the agency said. Equipment was also removed from several Aeroflot aircraft – Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, Reuters noted.

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and the Russian airline did not respond to a request for comment.

US export sanctions

In April, the United States imposed export sanctions on three Russian airlines – Aeroflot, Utair and Azur Air. Washington has banned them from selling American aircraft parts, even through third countries.

Before that, in March, China refused to supply Russian airlines with aircraft components. “We have instructed the airline itself to determine where it has the opportunity to get these spare parts. As far as I know, this information has passed that they turned to China, for example, and the Chinese refused,” said MRO Russia & CIS told reporters on the sidelines of the conference Valery Kudinov, Head of the Aircraft Airworthiness Maintenance Department at the Federal Air Transport Agency.