Russian airlines have grounded 34 of their 66 Airbus A320neo family aircraft due to unresolved engine problems, aggravated by Western sanctions, the Kommersant business newspaper reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The grounded jets are equipped with engines made by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon. Last year, RTX identified a “rare condition” in the metal used to manufacture certain engine parts, requiring “expedited removals and inspections.”
Sanctions imposed on Russia have hit its aviation sector hard, halting deliveries of new aircraft and spare parts from major manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. Kommersant said that without proper maintenance, the A320neo and A321neo aircraft are likely to be decommissioned from 2026.
S7 Airlines, one of Russia’s largest carriers, has been hit hardest, with 31 of its 39 A320neo and A321neo jets grounded, according to Kommersant, which cited data from Flightradar24. Some airlines, including S7, plan to return about half of the grounded planes to service next summer in the peak season before they are mothballed.
The A320neo and A321neo models represent about 10% of foreign-made aircraft in Russia's fleet, potentially disrupting 10-15% of enger air traffic in 2025 and beyond.
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