Russia’s leading airline, Aeroflot, has announced the establishment of a new entity that will develop a jet engine repair facility projected to be operational by 2028, according to its CEO. This decision comes in response to the increasing issues with aircraft malfunctions, which have surged over the past three years since Russia’s extensive military action in Ukraine began.
When fully operational, the facility is expected to handle up to 70 significant engine repairs annually, accommodating various engine types, as noted by Aeroflot CEO Sergei Alexandrovsky in a recent interview published by the business newspaper Kommersant.
The center is slated to provide maintenance, repairs, and overhaul services for the French-American CFM engine as well as the domestically produced PD-8 and PD-14 engines.
Details regarding the facility—such as its financial investment and exact location—remain largely undisclosed.
A significant portion of Aeroflot’s aircraft fleet has been impacted by the bans imposed by the U.S. and EU on the importation of aircraft and parts to Russia.
Ongoing engine problems have compelled numerous Russian airlines to ground approximately half of their Airbus A320neo fleet, as reported by Kommersant last autumn.
Between December and January alone, there were eleven reported engine failures within a 50-day timeframe, while an additional five incidents occurred in October and November.
Moscow has urged Washington to lift the sanctions on Aeroflot to resume direct flights with the United States following Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the presidency this year.
Additionally, the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia has advocated for the removal of restrictions on Russia’s aviation industry, citing it as a “humanitarian necessity” amid indications that the U.S. is considering a list for possible sanctions relief.
Aeroflot has lost access to many of its most lucrative routes after Western nations barred Russian aircraft from their airspace in response to the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine.
