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Russian Civil Aviation Faces Major Crisis as Nearly Half Aircraft Suspended for Defects
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Russia has been facing a growing issue of severe violations in its civil aviation sector, particularly concerning the widespread operation of aircraft with technical defects, according to the head of the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya), Vladimir Kovalsky, as reported by Aviatorship Telegram channel on February 4.
According to the agency’s data, from 2023 to 2025, over 480 aircraft had their operations suspended for various periods until identified issues were addressed. This represents nearly half of the entire fleet, which the Ministry of Transport estimates at approximately 1,000 units, as reported by The Moscow Times.
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The agency has observed cases of non-compliance with flight fitness requirements, allowing aircraft with incomplete maintenance and unresolved defects to operate. There have also been instances of modifications and structural repairs being performed in violation of regulations, often without the involvement of authorized organizations.
One of the biggest concerns for the regulatory body is the practice of falsely claiming work has been completed. Kovalsky noted that the industry is seeing a “lowering of the threshold for acceptable violations,” where falsifications are being justified by claims that they do not impact flight safety.
“Any violation is unacceptable. But for some dishonest participants, the threshold for acceptability keeps dropping: ‘Yes, we falsified, but it doesn't affect safety.’ How much further can this go?” Kovalsky remarked.
Underlining the state of Russian aircraft sector, according to Gazprom Neft, Russia has tested aviation fuel made from recycled frying oil. This fuel, developed using complex esters and fatty acids, incorporates used cooking oil sourced from the “Vkusno — i tochka” restaurant chain. The fuel was tested on a jet engine, simulating various stages of flight, including takeoff, cruising, and landing. The initiative aims to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint.
The testing confirmed that the fuel operated effectively and produced a lower environmental impact compared to traditional aviation fuel. Gazprom Neft stated that these results will contribute to the creation of a national standard for synthetic SAF components in aviation fuels.
Denis Demin, head of the Strategy, Innovation, and Sustainability Department at Gazprom Neft, explained that the company has already been using "green fuel" for marine vessels for several years. Applying this fuel to aviation represents another step toward decarbonizing the sector.
Earlier, a Boeing 757 operated by Azur Air was compelled to make an emergency landing in Hanoi after experiencing an engine failure mid-flight.
The aircraft was traveling from Nha Trang, Vietnam, to Irkutsk with 238 passengers and seven crew members aboard. The landing was executed safely, but the airline has cautioned that this incident may lead to disruptions in its schedule, including possible delays and flight rerouting.
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