Russian airlines request government authorization to return aircraft to the West

Two Russian airlines requested authorization from the Ministry of Transport to return their aircraft to Western lessors. The requests were sent in April and May, and the ministry has yet to respond.

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S7 Airlines wants to return two Boeing 737 MAX 8s. This model was never recertified after the March 2019 suspension. S7’s press service confirmed that they had submitted a request for the return of the equipment «due to the impossibility of its operation product of not having a type certificate.»

On the other hand, AirBridgeCargo plans to return 14 of its Boeing 747 cargo aircraft. All of them are stored at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. Volga-Dnepr Group -the owner of AirBridgeCargo- began negotiating the return of these aircraft in May. After being returned, they would be transferred to Etihad. By jointly operating these aircraft alongside the Gulf carrier, it was hoped to circumvent Western restrictions.

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Volga-Dnepr president Alexei Isaikin noted that «the success of this union will depend on lawyers on both sides finding a way around the sanctions.» According to the executive, of the 12 aircraft initially included in the maintenance ban by the U.S. government, half remained on the list.

Experts questioned by Kommersant said it makes no sense for these planes to remain inside Russia. The MAXs have no authorization to operate (and will probably never get it) and the 747s cannot be maintained as Boeing does not deliver parts or support to Russian airlines.

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Industry analysts believe that the delay in answering Russian airlines’ requests to return the aircraft can be understood as a «tacit prohibition». According to a Kommersant source, «the proposals are coordinated between the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, so this delay is normal.»