Quantcast

Russia unable to buy Brazilian or Chinese planes due to Western component dependency

Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
United Airlines flight attendants are prepared to strike. Here's why it's still unlikely.
2 workers killed, 1 injured in tire explosion at a Delta Air Lines shop in Atlanta
Emirates Will Buy 5 Airbus A380s From Lessor For $200 Million
Russia unable to buy Brazilian or Chinese planes due to Western component dependency
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several countries, including Western nations, South Korea, and Japan, imposed sanctions on Russia's aviation sector. These restrictions have left Russia unable to purchase new aircraft from major manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus. Additionally, the country cannot acquire Brazil's Embraer or China's COMAC C919 aircraft due to their reliance on Western parts.

The sanctions prevent Russia from obtaining replacement parts or new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. As a result, a significant portion of Russia's passenger fleet is grounded. Russian-made jets like the Sukhoi Superjet also face challenges because they contain a high percentage of imported components. Reports indicate that less than half of these jets still have valid airworthiness certificates in Russia.

Russia aims to replace Western components and revive domestic production but has yet to deliver any passenger jets since the sanctions began nearly three years ago. The substitution of engines on aircraft such as the MC-21 has resulted in heavier and less efficient planes.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Both Brazil's Embraer and China's COMAC rely heavily on Western-made engines and other components for their aircraft. For instance, Embraer's E-Jet family uses General Electric engines, while COMAC's C919 is powered by engines from CFM International, a joint venture between France's Safran and America's General Electric.

Despite being members of BRICS and not participating in Western-led sanctions against Russia, neither Brazil nor China can export their jets to Russia due to this dependence on Western technology. This situation mirrors past geopolitical tensions where embargoes prevented the supply of critical components needed for military equipment.

China faces its own challenges with US-imposed sanctions affecting COMAC since January 2021. These measures could impact the viability of its aircraft due to their American content, particularly engines and avionics systems supplied by companies like Collins Aerospace and Honeywell.

While China works on developing its CJ-1000A engine as an alternative to Western models, it is expected to be operational only by 2030. In the meantime, COMAC continues producing the C919 using LEAP engines from its joint venture partners.

"Depending on what position the Biden administration takes," notes AIN regarding Comac’s inclusion on sanction lists, "the inclusion...could threaten the viability of the C919 narrowbody...given their U.S. content."

For now, both Russian aviation ambitions and international partnerships remain constrained by technological dependencies amid ongoing geopolitical complexities.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

In December 2022, Southwest Airlines faced a major crisis as operational challenges led to the cancellation of 16,900 flights, affecting nearly two million passengers during a peak travel period.

Apr 19, 2025

Harrison Ford, an acclaimed actor known for roles such as Han Solo in "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones, is also a noted aviation enthusiast.

Apr 19, 2025

Iberia Airlines has confirmed a notable shift in its flight schedule connecting Madrid and Dallas/Fort Worth, introducing its first overnight service from Europe to the US.

Apr 19, 2025