In the face of ongoing sanctions and growing passenger traffic, Russian airlines have stepped up their aircraft unpreservation program. According to information provided by the Rostec State Corporation, by the beginning of 2026, 10 of the 12 domestically produced aircraft planned for return have already been restored and handed over to operators.
Among those returned to service are nine Tu-204-114s, two Il-96s, and one An-148. According to experts, the age of most of these aircraft is approaching 30 years.
In parallel with the revival of the Soviet legacy, the unpreservation of foreign equipment continues. For example, the airline "Rossiya" is resuming operation of Boeing 747s, previously owned by the bankrupt "Transaero". To date, two such aircraft are in commercial operation. In November 2025, a third 24-year-old aircraft was restored, and a fourth is planned to be put into operation no later than 2027, according to available data. The aircraft were mothballed during the pandemic, when demand for air travel plummeted.
As of October 2025, according to Rosaviatsiya, the active fleet of Russian airlines includes 1088 aircraft out of a total fund of 1135 units. At the same time, 67% of the fleet is still made up of foreign models. In these circumstances, returning proven, albeit obsolete, aircraft to service is becoming a key measure to maintain current passenger traffic volumes.