Russian authorities have proposed that Qatar and Kuwait airlines operate domestic flights within Russia to address the shortage of aircraft in the domestic market. According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, this initiative was discussed during an industry forum in Malaysia, where Rosaviatsia raised the possibility of cabotage flights and the acquisition of aircraft. Although Qatar and Kuwait expressed interest in exploring the necessary mechanisms, no official request has been submitted yet.
Cabotage, which would allow foreign airlines to operate flights within Russia, presents significant legal challenges. According to experts consulted by Kommersant, implementing this measure requires compliance with the Chicago Convention, which stipulates that these rights cannot be granted exclusively to a single country. “This could lead to repercussions, such as international sanctions for Qatar and Kuwait airlines if they accept this proposal,” explained aviation specialist Mikhail Vahneev to the Russian newspaper.
Additionally, some analysts point out that the involvement of foreign airlines in domestic routes could result in financial losses for Russian companies by diverting revenue to international operators. “While cabotage could increase competition and maintain service levels, the cost would be financial and reputational for Russia,” Vahneev added.
A market with limitations
The operational capacity of Russia’s aviation sector faces severe restrictions due to a shortage of aircraft. According to data from the Civil Aviation Research Institute, the load factor on flights within Russia exceeds 96%, much higher than the global average of 75%. “We are at the physical limit of our capacities. There are no new aircraft, and many existing ones are being retired. Resolving this with local production will take years,” noted Andrei Patrakov to Kommersant, founder of the flight certification service RunAvia, in statements reproduced by our partner outlet AEROIN.
The specialist mentioned that programs like the construction of 1,000 national aircraft by 2030 are progressing slowly, complicating efforts to meet growing demand. This deficit was also reflected in S7’s fleet, where around 20 Airbus A320 aircraft were grounded this summer.
Ilya Shatilin, editor of the portal Frequentflyers.ru, told the Russian media that Qatar and Kuwait airlines might not find Russian routes attractive. “It is not profitable to operate on regional flights that require subsidies, and the most lucrative routes are already covered by Russian companies. Moreover, the domestic market has limited demand, making these airlines prefer to assign their aircraft to more profitable international destinations,” he stated.
Although negotiations with countries considered allies, such as Kazakhstan, have been mentioned previously, progress has been minimal. According to Kommersant, Kazakh authorities denied receiving formal proposals regarding cabotage.
The outlook for Russia’s aviation industry remains uncertain. According to forecasts, passenger traffic could decrease from 112 million in 2024 to 95 million in 2025 and 91 million in 2026. Although the government anticipates a recovery to 127 million by 2030, this figure would still fall short of pre-pandemic levels.
In the meantime, Russia continues to seek alternatives to ease the sector’s operational limitations. However, as Kommersant concludes, opening up domestic flights to foreign airlines raises more questions than it offers solutions in the short term.
