Russia launches airline inspections after rise in accidents and fatalities

A significant factor behind the growing number of incidents is the impact of international sanctions on Russia's aviation sector. These restrictions prevent operators from acquiring new aircraft or replacement parts from manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and even China's Comac due to Western-made components used in their planes. As a result, Russian carriers have had to ground aircraft for spare parts, purchase parts through unofficial channels, and reactivate older planes previously retired from service.

This situation contributed to incidents like the Angara Airlines crash earlier this year involving an An-24 built in 1976. All 49 people on board died when the nearly five-decade-old aircraft crashed.

Currently, with sanctions ongoing, it remains impractical for Russian airlines to source new planes or parts from most foreign manufacturers. Chinese manufacturer COMAC is working toward producing all components domestically but faces delays; its C919 production target was reduced from 75 units annually to just 25 this year.

In the meantime, Russia depends largely on domestic producers such as Yakolev and Ilyushin for fleet needs. United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), another Russian company, has recently patented a long-range aircraft intended to compete with models like Boeing’s 787 by offering similar operational costs and various configurations for range and passenger capacity. However, developing new aircraft under current conditions poses substantial challenges for UAC.

The government’s planned audits aim not only to address immediate safety concerns but also highlight the broader effects of international isolation on Russia’s aviation industry.