Airlines have temporarily suspended the operation of 34 Airbus A320/A321neo aircraft, which is approximately half of all such aircraft in Russia. Some of them have been put on standby to conserve engine life until the start of the high season. However, there is a possibility that 15–20 aircraft will not return to flights.
This type of aircraft is equipped with modern but problematic engines. They cannot be repaired in Russia due to the complexity of the design, and they cannot be brought into the country due to sanctions and shortages on the world market.
From 2026, a large-scale decommissioning of A320/A321neo aircraft may begin, which account for about 10% of the entire foreign mainline air fleet in Russia.
According to information from two sources, the company plans to optimize the use of aircraft engines before the start of the next high season, when most aircraft may return to the schedule.
According to information from other sources, the engine life of more than 20 aircraft has already been almost exhausted. In total, 92 aircraft belonging to the carrier are listed in the Rosaviatsia register. Of the mainline fleet, only one A319 aircraft is not flying. The remaining Boeing and Airbus aircraft are in operation.
Of the 69 Airbus aircraft remaining with S7, 55 aircraft have airworthiness certificates. According to Kommersant, the airworthiness certificates of eight A321neo and six A320neo aircraft have been suspended.
In Russia, in addition to the S7 fleet, another 27 A320/A321neo aircraft are in operation.
All major airlines, except S7, use aircraft with Leap engines, which are manufactured in France by CFM. These engines are considered less problematic than P&W.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that Red Wings airline became the owner of a new Superjet 100 aircraft manufactured in 2024. The aircraft, equipped with Franco-Russian SaM146 engines, is designed to carry 100 passengers in an economy class cabin. It will begin its first flights on November 28. The aircraft will be based at Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg.
Read materials on the topic:
Will deliver up to 300 kg over 500 km: Rostec presented a unique unmanned aircraft S-76
The ideal version of the aircraft: Tu-214 will receive modernized chassis and seats
