In a recent announcement, Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev revealed that Russia has lost a significant number of passenger planes due to sanctions imposed following the country's invasion of Ukraine. Savelyev expressed surprise at the decision to seize the aircraft, stating that the move has left Russia in a challenging situation.

According to Savelyev, the 76 aircraft in question were either in technical storage, being serviced abroad, or on the verge of operating flights. These planes were primarily registered abroad and leased by Russian carriers prior to the conflict. However, following the invasion of Ukraine, countries such as Bermuda and Ireland, where many of the planes were registered, revoked the certificates of airworthiness for Russian-based aircraft.

As a result, Russia now finds itself with a decreased fleet, with only 1,302 planes remaining, out of which 1,167 are passenger aircraft. The sudden loss of these airplanes has stranded approximately $10 billion worth of aircraft within Russian borders.

In response to the situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a law allowing leased foreign planes to be registered in Russia. This measure was implemented to make it more challenging for foreign countries to reclaim the aircraft. Savelyev reported that by March 2022, nearly 800 aircraft had been transferred to the national register under this new law.

To mitigate the impact of the loss, Russian airlines have sought alternative solutions. Savelyev mentioned that Russian carriers now operate flights to 11 countries that have provided guarantees not to seize their planes.

Despite these efforts, Russia has faced difficulties in purchasing the approximately 400 stranded planes within the country. Reuters had previously reported on Russia's exploration of purchasing these aircraft, but success has yet to be achieved.

Savelyev emphasized the necessity of holding onto the remaining planes, as relinquishing them would mean leaving Russia without aviation capabilities. The country will undoubtedly continue to navigate the challenges posed by the loss of these passenger planes, seeking alternative solutions while maintaining its air travel industry.

As the repercussions of the Ukraine invasion continue to reverberate, Russia's aviation sector faces a tough road ahead, grappling with the aftermath of sanctions and the utilization of limited resources.