The Association of Air Transport Operators (AATO) has appealed to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport with a request to extend the validity of Russian Government Decree No. 412. This document regulates the operation of foreign aircraft owned by foreign lessors by Russian airlines.
Foreign-made aircraft (Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer) still remain the primary means of passenger transportation for Russian airlines. A significant portion of the fleet still belongs to foreign companies and is used under leasing agreements.
Decree No. 412 (adopted on March 19, 2022) establishes the procedure for using imported aircraft for which notices of termination of leasing agreements have been received. Initially, the document was valid until the end of 2024, then it was extended until the end of 2026.
Now, AATO proposes to extend the decree again. The extension terms are not specified in the letter.
The document gives Russian airlines the right not to return aircraft under agreements concluded before February 24, 2022, with special payment rules regulated by Presidential Decree No. 95. The decree allows for the maintenance and repair of aircraft remaining in the country according to Russian standards. This eliminates the need to obtain approvals and original spare parts from Western manufacturers.
The document also restricts the export of leased foreign aircraft. This is only possible with the permission of the government commission for the control of foreign investments in the Russian Federation.
A representative of the Ministry of Transport confirmed receipt of the letter and stated that a response would be given.
After the introduction of Western sanctions in 2022, foreign leasing companies notified Russian carriers of the termination of contracts and the need to return the aircraft. But Russia continued to use the leased aircraft.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that there were calls to abandon Airbus and Boeing in Russia.
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