Russia’s flagship airline, Aeroflot, announced plans to establish a new jet engine repair facility by 2028, aiming to address the growing technical challenges caused by Western sanctions, the airline’s CEO revealed. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Aeroflot and other Russian carriers have faced a surge in engine malfunctions due to restricted access to aircraft parts.
Speaking to Kommersant business newspaper, Aeroflot CEO Sergei Alexandrovsky outlined that the new facility, once operating at full capacity, will handle up to 70 major engine repairs annually. It will service various engine types, including the French-American CFM engines and Russia’s own PD-8 and PD-14 models.
Details regarding the plant’s location and investment costs remain undisclosed. However, the move comes amid severe impacts on Aeroflot’s fleet after the U.S. and European Union imposed bans on the supply of aircraft and components to Russia.
The sanctions have hit Russian airlines hard, forcing them to ground roughly half of their Airbus A320neo family jets, according to Kommersant. Engine failures have spiked, with 11 incidents reported over a 50-day period between December and January, and five more between October and November.
In response, Moscow has urged the U.S. to lift sanctions against Aeroflot to allow the resumption of direct flights following Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House. The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia has also called for easing aviation sanctions, citing humanitarian concerns amid ongoing operational challenges.
Western airspace closures have further constrained Aeroflot, cutting the airline off from many of its most lucrative routes as part of retaliatory measures linked to the conflict in Ukraine. The new repair facility marks a critical step toward enhancing Russia’s aviation self-reliance in the face of these unprecedented obstacles.