Russia faces challenges in its Airbus A320 fleet due to shortage of spare parts

26-11-24

The Russian aviation industry is facing a significant crisis due to the lack of spare parts for its Airbus A320 aircraft. According to recent reports, of the 66 aircraft of this model in operation in the country, 34 have been grounded due to technical problems related to the shortage of spare parts. 

International sanctions imposed on Russia have severely limited access to essential components for the maintenance of Western-made aircraft. This situation has led Russian airlines to resort to practices such as “cannibalization” of aircraft, i.e. dismantling some aircraft to obtain parts to keep others operational. 

In addition, incidents have been reported that could be related to lack of proper maintenance. For example, in September 2023, a Ural Airlines Airbus A320 made an emergency landing in a field in Siberia due to a hydraulic system failure. 

To mitigate these challenges, the Russian government has announced plans to locally manufacture spare parts for Boeing and Airbus aircraft, replicating essential components. However, experts point out that this measure may not be enough to solve the crisis in the short term, as the production and certification of aeronautical parts is a complex and lengthy process. 

The current situation raises serious concerns about the safety and sustainability of commercial aviation in Russia. The international community is watching closely as the country addresses these challenges amid imposed restrictions and technological limitations to keep its air fleet operational.

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