Russian aircraft plan will face serious obstacles

Significance

With sanctions barring access to Western aircraft, Moscow intends to develop fully indigenous production and to replace hundreds of foreign-built airliners with domestic analogues. However, it failed to produce a single airliner last year, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Impacts

• Russian airlines may have to ground more foreign-made aircraft before replacements arrive.
• State-owned Aeroflot will be prioritised in the delivery of new airliners, further marginalising private companies.
• After short-term successes, Russia’s ability to adjust to sanctions is likely to decline over the long term.