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How have sanctions against Russia impacted aviation?

As the clouds of Western sanctions against Russia gather, their impact on the aviation industry are weighty

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Speaking in late July, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced a further tightening of sanctions the bloc had imposed on Russia in response to its invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine.  

As part of the enhancement, the EU said that changes would be made to sanctions already placed on Russia’s aviation industry.  

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However, the intention was largely to sure up safety and security – rather than further impede the sector – in response to growing concerns that Russia would flout or at best be unable to adhere to safety standards as sanctions begin to bite. This was the latest chapter of a series of sanctions against Russia since the initial invasion of Ukraine in February.

24 February

Preluded by months of military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, just before 6am Moscow time, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his country, and the world, that Russian forces had embarked upon a “military operation” in the east of Ukraine. Putin said that the operation was an attempt to demilitarise and “de-Nazify” Ukraine as an act of self-defence.  

The news was roundly criticised by much of the world, eliciting almost immediate responses from the US, where President Joe Biden branded the act as “premeditated” and one that would result in “catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the “hideous and barbaric venture must end in failure”, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would impose a “massive and targeted” raft of sanctions in response. 

The UK announced it was banning Russia’s flag carrier, Aeroflot , from its airspace, a move replicated by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania within hours. The US Federal Aviation Administration said it was stopping US aviation interests from using Belarussian, Ukrainian, and parts of western Russian airspace. The ban covered passenger and cargo flights.

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26–27 February weekend

Iceland imposed a complete ban on Russian flights into its airspace. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Slovenia, and Sweden were among others saying they were taking steps to close airspace to Russia that weekend. 

Lithuania’s measure became active on Saturday (26 February) evening, as the country’s Prime Minister, Ingrida Simonyte, said: “No flights for aggressor planes in democratic skies”. The move would have a significant impact on Russia and its people, given that the route is the most direct for those travelling between the mainland and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad – nestled between NATO members Lithuania and Poland – with its population of almost half a million. 

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said: “The EU is imposing tougher economic sanctions in a number of areas. We are therefore in close contact with the EU and our neighbouring countries, and preparations for implementing the wide-ranging package of sanctions are in full swing.” Those measures included closing Norwegian airspace to all Russian aircraft. 

Within hours, the EU announced a complete ban on Russian flights from its airspace, meaning planes cannot land, take off, or pass through the entire bloc. “We are shutting down EU airspace for Russian-owned, Russian-registered or Russian-controlled aircraft,” von der Leyen said. 

Canada reacted to the invasion with a similar move,  prohibiting all Russian aircraft  from its airspace, while US officials had been making similar overtones. By the end of the weekend, airspace bans were beginning to be felt at Russia’s airports; departure and arrival boards were largely displaying a red hue as flights in and out of the country had been affected. 

As part of the raft of EU sanctions, another that affected aviation was the banning of all goods and technology linked to aircraft being given to Russia. The move led to an almost instantaneous response from the lucrative  aircraft leasing industry , which does significant business with Russian airlines. It also left them with a major problem: how to get back its hundreds of jets on the ground in Russia at the time?  

Russia had been reacting angrily to the feed of news, first with its airlines announcing they were cancelling flights and self-imposing restrictions, then officially by banning air traffic from a growing list of countries. What began with a ban from its airspace to  UK-linked planes  quickly became a total ban on anything coming from or passing through Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia. 

28 February

Russia formally announced it was  banning flights from 36 countries . The news was no surprise, given Russia’s previous statements over the weekend. Impacts were beginning to be felt at the very top of Russian Government, with a handful of diplomatic missions falling victim. 

The same day, Switzerland, often passive on matters of this nature, took the unusual step to join with its European neighbours in excluding Russia from its airspace. 

Numerous US-based airlines pull out of partnerships with Russian counterparts. American Airlines becomes the latest, ending an interline agreement with Aeroflot and S7 Airlines. Others taking similar action included United Airlines and Delta.

US authorities announce they are  stopping Russian flights  from using US airspace. Stating the ban was effective as of that evening, Pete Buttigieg, US transport secretary, said: “The US stands with our allies and partners across the world in responding to Putin’s unprovoked aggression against the people of Ukraine.” 

Russia bans flights to some southern parts of the country – a move first seen as temporary but which has continued that has a dramatic impact on domestic travel. It ultimately resulted in the closure of 11 airports, including the Black Sea resorts of Anapa and Gelendzhik. 

The New Zealand Government announces its first significant package of measures aimed at Russian aggression. Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said: “The sanctions prevent New Zealand individuals, assets and financial institutions from having dealings with those designated, and prohibits their vessels and aircraft entering New Zealand.”

Putin holds a special meeting at which he says the aviation industry would receive financial support in the face of “consequences of inadequate decisions by the Western countries” that were impacting the sector. “The truth is, they have cheated their Russian partners by terminating deliveries, leasing, services, and insurance for airplanes,” he told attendees. “Nevertheless, Russia is not going to close its doors to the outside world.”

Despite the numerous airspace bans and counter actions by Russia, flights between Europe and Asia increased, adding 7% more airline seat capacity. The data, supplied by aviation information and statistics provider OAG, showed the increase was in comparison with flights in the immediate aftermath of the invasion.

A Russian official suggests help is coming to the beleaguered aviation sector. Speaking with TV station Rossiya 24, Minister for Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov said the sector could expect to be subsidised. 

Russian State-run news agency TASS had previously said Putin had earmarked almost $310m for airlines to help cover airline expenses from February to July. It said: “Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Russia has closed international flights that are highly profitable for companies (except for repatriation flights)”. 

According to state media, Putin signs a law allowing Russian airlines to  keep and operate planes  – on domestic routes – leased from international suppliers. The news wasn’t a complete surprise, as officials had suggested such actions could be taken days before the official statement. The government had already told aircraft operators to not fly these aircraft to international destinations, likely in a bid to prevent them from being seized. 

However, industry watchers warned that flying foreign planes could have potentially dangerous consequences as the country remains cut off from  sourcing parts  or  maintenance services , raising the risk that flights will be carried out by  planes in need of servicing . 

The announcement did, say some, show the impact sanctions were having on Russia’s aviation industry. According to TASS the law was an attempt to preserve the  foreign aircraft fleet  within Russia to keep civil aviation operations going it said, citing official documents it had seen. 

Speaking of the news, Domhnal Slattery, CEO of aircraft-leasing company Avolon, which had 10 aircraft in Russia at the time of his comments, said: “It’s just robbery.  They’ve stolen the aeroplanes . It’s incomprehensible.”

The UK Government announced further sanctions aimed at Russia’s aviation industry. In response to concerns carriers were cashing in on their now  unused landing slots , it banned state-owned Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, and Rossiya Airlines from selling them, preventing Russia from cashing in on an estimated £50m. 

At the time of publication, it is unclear how many aircraft remain in Russia. Some estimates put this figure at 400, with a total value of £8.25bn. 

As sanctions hurt Russia’s aviation sector, the Kremlin announced plans to invest $14.5bn by 2030 to increase the share of  domestically-manufactured  aircraft.

Announcing the plan, which the government said would see as many as 1,000 new Russian manufactured commercial aircraft enter service by the end of the decade, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov told a gathering of officials and media: “The share of domestically produced aircraft in the fleet of Russian airlines should grow to 81% by 2030.” 

For some time the country’s media outlets – many of which are state-controlled – had been reporting on plans to ramp up domestic production, with rumours that Aeroflot was close to signing a contract with the state-owned United Aircraft Corporation for the purchase of 300 new aircraft. 

There is growing concern about the safety of flights coming out of Russia, and those operating domestically. Widespread media coverage focusses more heavily on the dangers posed as a result of the inability to properly maintain aircraft, citing numerous experts.  

Although unconfirmed, there are several reports of flights landing with pilots reporting mechanical issues. Some of those aircraft took to the skies again but, despite being approached, operators did not divulge how any issues may have been resolved. 

As many as 19 million fewer passengers will travel by air in Russia this year says the Russia’s own Ministry of Transport. According to business publication Vedomosti, sanctions and airspace closures by the West and Moscow are to blame.

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The CEO of Airbus says there are 'concerns on the safety side' as domestic air travel in Russia takes off, but sanctions prevent plane maintenance

• Airbus' CEO said he's concerned about Russian airlines flying without required maintenance.
• Sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war have prevented Airbus from servicing Russian aircraft.
• Russian air travel has recovered to 85% of pre-pandemic capacity, per OAG, a data provider.

The CEO of Airbus has warned of safety concerns over Russian airlines flying without necessary maintenance or spare parts— as sanctions are preventing the French aviation giant from servicing their planes.

"We are worried about the conditions for maintenance as actually the planes are flying a lot," Guillaume Faury, the CEO of Airbus, said on a media call on Friday, after the company posted its third-quarter results. Airbus separately confirmed the comments in an email to Insider.

Russia lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions  on July 1, and Russian airlines are operating at about 85% of 2019 capacity this winter season, according to data published on October 25 by OAG, a global travel data provider. That's even though many countries in the world — such as those in the European Union and Canada — have banned Russian aircraft from their airspace, meaning most Russian flights are flying domestic.

Related stories

"Because of the sanctions, we cannot really monitor and support as we do with our customers in normal times. And that's something that is indeed creating some concerns on the safety side," said Faury on the call. "Now, there's not much we can do about it."

Due to sanctions against Russia, imports into the country   — especially those of aircraft and their spare parts— have collapsed, creating a huge problem for the country, which heavily relies on tech imports.

However, Moscow is taking steps to counter the sanctions, with state-owned tech firm Rostec telling Reuters in September it's targeting the production of 1,000 airliners by 2030, using locally manufactured parts, in order to reduce dependence on Western technology. Before the start of Ukraine war, planes purchased from Western giants Boeing and Airbus carried 95% of Russian passenger traffic, per Reuters.

Rostec — a conglomerate involved in engineering and defense — has said it aims to substitute imported parts with local ones, but the pain of shortages is already being felt. 

Russian state-owned carrier Aeroflot started stripping spare parts from working aircraft due to supply shortages induced by sanctions, Reuters  reported in August.

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Russian Recovery: What is Driving the Rise in Russian Air Travel?

For ten of the past thirteen weeks, scheduled airline capacity from Russian airports has exceeded capacity in the same weeks in 2019. While there has been plenty of focus on the recovery of the domestic Chinese market and domestic US market, much less has been said about Russia but the country has witnessed a remarkable increase in flying this past summer. 

While international capacity from Russia has been steadily growing all year it still remains at 39% below 2019 levels, but domestic capacity has been positive since March, and seen a major surge between April and June. If this is a response to demand, it would appear that Russians are keen to be moving again, and though the destinations may have changed, the fact that overall capacity is at pre-pandemic levels implies that they are not being put off by the virus.

Summer Domestic Boom

While there are some airlines driving growth more than others, all the major Russian airlines are benefitting. Overall, domestic capacity is 27% up on where it was two years ago. Pobeda , the low-cost carrier of the Aeroflot Group, is the airline which has experienced the largest growth in absolute terms. Domestic capacity for Pobeda this week is around half that of Aeroflot, but is 81% up on two years ago, compared to a 13% increase at Aeroflot.

Nord Wind , a much smaller airline, has grown capacity by 67% while Ural Airlines has grown by 48%.

Not surprisingly, the Russian domestic destination which were thriving this summer included resorts along the Black Sea coast and this has continued into September. Capacity for the week of 13th September at Sochi (AER) , close to the border with Georgia, is up by 77%, while at Gelendzhik (GDZ) , a further 250km north, arriving scheduled airline seats are up by 183%. At Anapa (AAQ) another 85km north, capacity is up by 171% compared to the same week in 2019. These three airports currently have 124 routes operating to and from them, almost double the number from this time in 2019, and the total number of airlines seats available has also doubled. Less than 200km from Anapa, further inland, is Krasnodar (KRR) , which has also benefitted from the boom in travel to the region, with capacity up by 34%.

International Hotspots

This week sees international capacity at 39% below 2019 levels, an improvement on the average of -43% experienced through August 2021. What is interesting, though, is how some destinations have still managed to grow, some by a large amount. For instance, the Maldives saw an increase in airline seats of 158% in August compared to August 2019, while for Egypt it was a massive 439%. These may not be the largest of the Russian outbound markets by a long way but it goes to show that even in difficult times there are some destinations which manage to make the most of the opportunities available, repositioning themselves and proactively winning engagement in target markets.

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How will Russia-Ukraine conflict affect air travel? Longer flights, higher fuel costs, fewer planes

Following the invasion of Ukraine, the European Union closed its airspace to all Russian airline , Russian-owned and Russian-operated aircraft. Soon after, Russia closed its airspace to all European aircraft . More countries like Canada have since followed the EU , consequently, the number of aircraft and flights affected increased.

So what does all of this mean to air travelers?

The most immediate effect is on travelers to and from Russia. Many flights are canceled, and some have been forced to turn around. One Aeroflot flight was nearing Canada airspace when the ban was announced and  had to return to Russia . 

Another Aeroflot flight en route from Miami to Moscow was mistakenly allowed to transit Canada . The controlling authority, NAV Canada, admitted the mistake and said that corrective action had been taken to prevent a reoccurrence.

As a result of losing access to Canadian airspace, Aeroflot has been canceling flights to their four destinations in the U.S. (New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Miami), as well as Cancun, Mexico, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

And last week, Delta Air Lines suspended its code-sharing agreement with Aeroflot , which is Russia's national airline.

During the State of the Union speech , President Joe Biden announced the U.S. is closing off airspace to all Russian flights, joining a growing number of countries around the world that have made similar moves in recent days.

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Longer routes, fewer diversion airports

More consequences of the closing of airspace are the necessity to reroute some flights, adding flight time and increasing fuel costs.

Flights, for example, from London to Asia now fly much further south to avoid Russian airspace. Polar flights from the U.S. to Asia can no longer use Russia as alternate airports. Should an emergency such as engine failure occur, no Russian airport can be a diversion airport. 

Under Long Range Operational Performance Standards , aircraft are rated by how long it would take to reach the nearest diversion airport. For newer, more efficient long-haul aircraft like the Airbus A-350, the limit is 370 minutes. For smaller twin-engine planes, the limit is lower .

Some polar flights must have Russian airports as an available diversion airport. Losing those airports mean that the flights must go much further south and may require a technical stop for fuel, which dramatically increases flight time and cost.

'IT WILL BE A LOT HARDER ON PEOPLE':   How sanctions will impact ordinary Russians

The  airspace over Ukraine is, of course, closed, requiring all air traffic to route around it.

The rules for closing airspace were tightened after the Russian military shot down Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 . Hence, no civilian aircraft are flying over Ukraine until the conflict subsides.

In the meantime, any plans for travel that might overfly Russia or any of Eastern Europe should include regular information from your airline to see the departure time, flight time and other possible changes, such as a technical stop.

HOW TO PRESSURE PUTIN:   Do Russia's yacht-owning oligarchs hold the key?

Fewer planes flying in Russia due to parts shortages, leased aircraft recall

Secondary issues include a  ban on aircraft parts to Russian operators . Aircraft will be soon be grounded due to lack of needed parts. This will cause cancellations of domestic flights. Many Russian operators fly European, and U.S.-built aircraft . Once the flow of the parts stops, the reliability of the airlines will be adversely affected.

Meanwhile, a number of leased Russian planes will be recalled or seized  in the next few weeks because the latest EU sanctions cut off the supply of planes, parts and technology to that country and its ability to insure planes starting March 28. This will impact Russian air travel as well.

For the aircraft that aren't recalled, it remains to be seen how airlines can make their payments after several major Russian banks were removed from SWIFT, a communications network linking financial institutions worldwide. 

Already, European-based aircraft leasing companies are scrambling to recover billions from Russian airlines before the EU's embargo on planes and supplies kick in on March 28. They've also recalled some planes and could seize more.

All of us hope the conflict in Ukraine will end quickly and peacefully. Until then, travelers need to factor the fighting there into their planning. But know that the airlines are doing all they can to maintain our very high level of safety during this challenging time.

SUPPORTING UKRAINE:   Strangers worldwide are opening hearts, homes to refugees from Ukraine

Aviation finance in Russia and CIS countries

Opportunities in uncertain times  

World in Transition Our views on changing dynamics in energy, ESG, finance, globalization and US policy. View our insights

Like the rest of the world, air passenger transport in the Russian Federation and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries experienced a serious impact at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet air traffic appears to be recovering more rapidly in Russia and CIS nations than elsewhere. At the end of 2020, Russia had the majority of its aircraft fleets in service—a higher percentage than any other European nation.

In November 2020, survey respondents based primarily in Russia and CIS nations confirmed this trend, with statements of strong confidence and expectations that local aviation markets will return to growth.

In fact, Russia and CIS countries present opportunities to place aircraft at a time when airlines in other regions are filing for bankruptcy, seeking business rehabilitation protections, returning aircraft to lessors and lenders, and downsizing fleets. At the same time, it can seem daunting to plan an aviation finance transaction involving these jurisdictions, in light of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other countries, financial institution restrictions and compliance risk analysis factors.

To navigate international restrictions on transactions in Russia and CIS countries, your aviation deal must take appropriate precautions, follow a careful analysis and implement necessary contractual provisions. Here's how to start.

SOURCES OF OPTIMISM: AVIATION IN RUSSIA AND CIS NATIONS

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic cratered the world's aviation markets, industry analysts expected air transport in Russia and CIS nations to begin growing significantly over the next decades, resulting in market opportunities for global lessors, operators, manufacturers and others. 

In 2018, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had forecast that air traffic in Russia would increase by 76 percent, while adding another 58.8 million passenger journeys through 2037. 1   2019 estimates showed the Russian air transport market could expand to more than 159 million passengers by 2037, with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and other CIS aviation markets similarly outstripping annual industry growth averages. 2

Under pre-pandemic circumstances, IATA similarly expected Kazakhstan's air transport market to climb from tenth-largest to sixth-largest among emerging European markets, with Ukraine experiencing more than 38 percent growth rates and rising to fifth-largest by 2038. 3 And this was before COVID-19 severely truncated global air travel.

Rapid rebounds and expanding market shares

Air traffic is recovering relatively quickly in Russia and CIS nations, particularly compared to other aviation markets. In fact, Russia appears to be the first major domestic air travel market to recover and even exceed its pre-pandemic air traffic volume. 4   

By the end of summer 2020, Russia had slightly outpaced its 2019 domestic travel levels, driven by a large domestic base of customers, spread over a vast landmass, with few opportunities to travel outside their country. 5   Domestic revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) of Russian airlines increased in year-on-year terms during autumn 2020, spurred by fare discounts and few travel restrictions within Russia. 6   And by the end of 2020, Russia had the majority of its aircraft fleets in service—a higher percentage than any other European nation.

This competitive strength, combined with a domestic aviation market well positioned to lead local carriers, operators and other market players through a post-crisis recovery, might help cement an enduring advantage. 7

Several reasons may explain the rapid aviation rebound in Russia and CIS countries.

For starters, the sheer size of Russia and Kazakhstan makes most other modes of transportation (such as train or automobile) impractical for travel between main cities and business hubs. Perhaps a less anxious (or more fatalistic) local culture causes people to be less concerned about traveling during a pandemic. Regardless, domestic air traffic in the region has resumed for work, other essential reasons and pleasure—even after experiencing strong growth in recent years.

Developing new transport hubs

In addition to hosting an expanding aviation industry, which rebounded quickly from the pandemic, Russia and CIS countries have invested in upgrading their airport terminal infrastructure while increasingly preparing to function as transport links between East and West.

In January 2020, Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport opened the first phase of its new high-technology Terminal C, as part of its strategic goal to serve 100 million passengers per year by 2030.

Already one of Europe's top-ten busiest airports (with 49.9 million passengers in 2019), Sheremetyevo is Russia's largest airport and poised to strengthen its position as a key air transportation hub. 8  Kazakhstan plans to continue growing Almaty Airport as a transit hub connecting Europe and Asia. 9  Azerbaijan is permitting foreign carriers greater use of its airports, opening landing rights and offering discounts to visiting airlines as part of an effort to become another notable transport and logistics hub between Asia and Europe. 10  Several other major air transport hubs in the region are growing as well.

BUOYANT LOCAL PERSPECTIVES

A survey of several hundred international aviation participants, based primarily in Russia and CIS countries, at the November 2020 "Wings of the Future" conference produced strikingly enthusiastic perspectives on current global aviation markets. 

• Asked "When do you think the global aviation industry will recover?" nearly all survey respondents estimated a likely recovery period of 24 to 36 months, with fewer than 13 percent of people saying they believe the industry would never recover. This nearly 80 percent confidence that the aviation industry will return to normal within 2 to 3 years is a notably more bullish assessment than the broader market consensus. 
• Asked "How confident are you flying right now given the measures taken to decrease virus spread?" 90 percent of survey respondents said they felt either confident or somewhat confident flying, even before a vaccine has achieved widespread distribution. 
• For the third survey question, "Do you think business travel will ever recover?" nearly 85 percent stated that that would likely occur within 36 months, with only 15 percent believing that business travel will never recover. The majority, more than 58 percent, anticipated a return to normal business travel in only 24 months.
• Cutting capacity and adjusting fleet composition (36 percent)
• Applying a new business model with domestic travel focus (23 percent) 
• Relying on shareholders and state support (23 percent)
• Cutting capacity and keeping fleet composition unchanged (18 percent)

This confidence in rapid recovery is less surprising in light of the fact that regional air traffic in Russia has largely resumed and that the Russian public appears to demonstrate limited anxiety about travel during a pandemic. In addition, the range of answers to the fourth question shows that organizations can deploy a number of different approaches, with no particular option serving as a silver bullet for all groups. 

For example, some operators may have the ability to adjust their fleets, whereas other carriers focused on regional flights or that have Russian provinces as majority shareholders might expect to rely more on subsidies and state support. Many airlines in the region are experimenting creatively with how they use their fleets and how to adjust to the current, unprecedented situation, including by testing changes to their business models, such as becoming more point-to-point carriers focused on domestic activity, or transitioning to new aircraft better suited to flying these routes.

MARKETS FOR THOUGHTFUL EXPLORATION

In most regions around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has led airlines to file for bankruptcy, seek business rehabilitation protections, return aircraft to lessors and lenders, reject aircraft deliveries and downsize aircraft fleets to reduce costs. For lessors and lenders, this can mean assuming the burden of possessing aircraft and paying significant expenses to maintain, insure and store their aircraft at a time when those aircraft are not generating revenue.  

Yet in Russia and CIS countries, the combination of relatively strong air traffic and aviation fleets ready for renewal could provide opportunities for global industry participants that understand how to navigate these markets.

The current crisis could encourage lessors, lenders and others who previously were reluctant to do business in Russia and CIS countries to reassess this region, particularly with other markets effectively closed to new business and a surplus of unused aircraft grounded throughout markets in the West and Asia.

Air fleets ready to upgrade

A 2018 Airbus global market analysis forecast that Russian and CIS airlines would require 1,220 new-generation fuel-efficient aircraft valued at US$175 billion, thus approximately doubling the region's passenger fleets during the period from 2018 through 2037, while gradually phasing out their older aircraft models. 11 Indeed, Russia's largest airline group, Aeroflot, and the national airlines in Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan are in the process of replacing aging aircraft in order to increase their market share and rejuvenate their fleets. 12

With huge excess capacity worldwide and shrinking demand, more lessors and lenders may look to take advantage of Russia and the CIS as an opportunity to place their aircraft.

Understand your repossession options

In 2011, Russia ratified the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, including its protocol on aviation equipment—an international treaty whose participating nations follow a unified process for repossessing aircraft in all signatory jurisdictions. By signing and ratifying the Cape Town Convention, Russia has agreed to facilitate a speedy process allowing international lenders and lessors to recover aircraft from Russia if a particular operator becomes insolvent or defaults on its obligations. 

Since Russia ranks fairly high in terms of compliance with the Cape Town Convention and has been a contracting state for several years, international lessors and lenders may take some comfort that Russia will protect and recognize their ownership and security interests in their aircraft.

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Aeroflot ceo calls on russia to balance the field for domestic airlines.

In a somewhat rare move, the airline CEO is calling on the Kremlin to support Russian airlines as international carriers continue to gain market share

From the Western media cycle, it would be easy to imagine that Russia is a country in isolation, that Russians cannot fly anywhere, and very few aircraft traverse its airspace. However, that is, of course, not the case, as far from all states have imposed sanctions following Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine.

While the sanctions have prompted a revamping of the domestic aviation industry, Russian airlines fly mostly aircraft from Western suppliers and, as such, will undoubtedly face operational difficulties and financial challenges going forward, even if they have managed to keep up relatively well until now.

One of the problems arising from the sanctions and subsequent aircraft grab is that airlines cannot operate foreign-owned aircraft outside of Russia for fear they may be ceased (they can, naturally, still operate the aircraft they themselves own).

All in all, the circumstances have led to international airlines such as Turkish Airlines and Emirates gaining an advantage over Russian carriers for transfer traffic out of Russia. International carriers as much as doubled their share in the Russian market in 2022. And the CEO of its state-owned airline group says it needs government assistance to balance the scale vis-á-vis the foreign forces.

Speaking to the Russian news agency RBK, the chief executive officer of Aeroflot Group, Sergey Alexandrovsky, called for the Russian government to "balance the interests" of Russian and foreign airlines in order to support the domestic aviation sector.

Sees nothing wrong with "state protectionism" to safeguard Russian civil aviation

Alexandrovsky said it was "obvious" that foreign airlines had many more opportunities and an advantage over Russian carriers given the current circumstances. He stated,

"For example, when flights to Turkey were opened, none of the Russian airlines could fly there, and Turkish carriers entered the market at very large volumes. In this situation, it is probably important that the state balances the interests of Russian and international carriers."

To the question of whether this would count as state protectionism, Alexandrovsky responded that,

"You could call it state protectionism. But if we want to maintain a fully fledged Russian civilian aviation industry, given the current circumstances, I do not see anything wrong with it."

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Leading domestic flight destinations in Russia 2021, by passenger share

Most popular domestic flight destinations in russia from june to august 2021, by share of passengers.

Additional Information

Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

September 2021

June to August 2021

* Simferopol, which is located on the Crimean Peninsula, was included in the list of domestic destinations by the source. The Republic of Crimea has been annexed by Russia in 2014 and has not been recognized as a part of Russia by most countries worldwide.

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Home / Russia Travel Tips

So you are planning to travel to Russia? Great! Asking yourself, what do I need to know before travelling to Russia? We’ve got you covered with a list of relevant Russia travel tips and essential info which you should consider before travelling to Russia.

Russia trip planning: what to consider before you go

*Click on any of the blue links below to navigate directly to the specific topic of Russia travel tips.

1: Russian Visa Application 2. Travel Insurance 3. Getting to Russia 4. Cash and Credit Cards 5. Russia Packing List and Essentials 6. Health and Travel Safety 7. Do’s and Don’ts

Russian Visa Application

Click on the image below and Download a free comprehensive guide: How to Apply for a Russian visa.

Most foreigners require a valid Russian visa to visit Russia for tourism purposes. Allow at least one month to secure your visa – don’t leave it until the last minute! There are several types of visa, but for most travellers, a tourist visa (single or double entry, valid for a maximum of 30 days) is sufficient. Getting a Russian visa involves 3 easy steps, invitation document, online application and registration.

Obtain a Russian visa invitation (support document)

You can easily apply online for an official Russian visa invitation letter using the following  link   on our website: Simply fill in the details, complete the associated fee payment and we will email the invitation in less than 24 hours.

Apply for a Russian visa

Once your invitation is received you will need to complete an online application form . After completing the application form you need to make an appointment at your local Russian Visa centre for lodgment.

In preparation for your visa application lodgment, you should include your valid passport (for at least six months), one passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm), a completed online Russian visa application form (printed and signed), the invitation letter which you will receive from 56th Parallel upon Application and the associated application fees.

Review your Russian Visa

Depending on the location and the level of service, you can expect to get the visa within 2-14 working days. Please ensure all the visa details are correct before you travel, as humans do sometimes make mistakes. If you notice any irregularities in your visa, please contact your nearest Russian visa centre and amend the required info.

The Russian visa process is much easier than it may sound and it is very uncommon for someone to be denied a Russian visa. However, if you have any questions or concerns we are always available to help.

Tip: Even if you are going to visit for less than 30 days, always apply for the full 30 days visa, and submit arrival and departure dates 29-30 days apart, this will avoid any issues should you need to extend your stay and provide you with a buffer time, just in case…

You should check your travel insurance documents before departure to ensure they are valid for the duration of your stay in Russia and that they cover the various activities you may partake on your trip. It must cover medical, cancellations costs.

56th Parallel strives to make your Russian holiday as safe and enjoyable as possible, but sometimes things get out of control, which is why adequate travel insurance is compulsory for all 56th Parallel tours. You must have travel insurance when travelling to Russia with 56th Parallel. We also recommend trip cancellation insurance as an extra precaution. You’ll be asked to provide details of your travel insurance policy before embarking on your Russian adventure.

We recommend using World Nomads’ travel insurance. You can get an instant quote here.

You can choose which travel insurance provider you’d like to use, but it’s extremely important that your chosen policy covers all aspects of the trip you’re undertaking, especially medical.

Getting to Russia & domestic airlines

Flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg are served daily by direct flights from most hubs of North America, Europe and Most of Asia. It is the remote locations of Russia’s Siberia and its cities that are sometimes challenging to find a perfect connection to from outside Russia unless you are connecting to them from Moscow.

Always allow enough time for transfers to and from the airports and be mindful of your accommodation and trip details before booking your flights.

There are airports in every Russian city even remote ones in Siberia. International services to these airports are growing fast. By the time you read this, you may find a direct connection to the most popular tourist destinations of Russia.

Visitors to Eastern Russia (regions of Siberia) commonly arrive on domestic flights from Moscow or St Petersburg or as an option an international flight from Beijing or other major Asian Hub (for Asia and Oceania travellers).

As Siberia opens up to travel and tourism, more options for international flights are becoming available. Aeroflot  Russian airlines is a go-to site when travelling to and within Russia.  S7 Airlines  offers flights to Novosibirsk from Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Frankfurt, and from Krasnoyarsk to Bangkok.  UTAir  offers good connections from many Russian hubs as well as seasonal flights from Bangkok to Krasnoyarsk. So make sure to check them all for the best connection to suit your travel plans.

Another option for getting to Russia is to arrive by train on the Trans-Siberian or Trans-Mongolian railway, which originates in Moscow or Beijing and stops at all of our major departure points.

*Click on the image below to download a free guide to planning a perfect trip in Russia

Airport transfers

Be sure to check the detailed itinerary of your chosen tour to Russia and see if airport transfers are included (most of our tour include transfers). If your package does not include transfers and you’d like to secure a private airport transfer, please let us know at the time of booking and we can arrange a private car and driver to pick you up at your specified arrival time.

If you are arriving by train we will organise transfers to your hotel from the train station – simply contact us with the details of your train number and scheduled arrival time.

Taxis are available at airports and train stations for those who do not wish to book a private transfer. Make sure to do some research as to pricing so you do not get overcharged.

What’s best, cash or credit cards?

Usually, it is hard to exchange your currency to Russian rubles in your homeland due to the unpopularity of rubles abroad. You’ll be able to exchange money on arrival at the airport or use ATM to draw cash.

Credit cards can be used throughout Russia in shopping hubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.

However, if you are planning on bringing cash to exchange for rubles, US dollars or euros are preferred by points of Russian currency exchange. Banks are also readily available to exchange currency in Russian cities and will charge a reasonable exchange rate.

Tipping procedure

Tipping in Russia is entirely at your own discretion. Gratuities are not included in our tour price, however, we recommend you tip a small percentage, only if you are satisfied with the service and feel comfortable leaving a tip or gratuity. If you do decide to leave a tip, they can be made in US dollars, euros and rubles (recommended). A tip is usually around 5-10% of the price of the service at a restaurant or similar. As to guides drivers etc, it is best to tip a nominal amount as a % is maybe too much.

Again, it is not required to leave a tip in Russia but do so if you are satisfied with the service and you feel comfortable leaving gratitude.

Russia packing list and essentials

Since baggage restrictions are getting tighter and airlines are imposing higher fees, we recommend packing one bag per traveller and one smaller carry-on bag. If you bring more, you may be required to pay airline luggage fees. Having one bag per traveller will help you move through airport lines faster and ensure you don’t pay excessive luggage charges too.

If you are travelling for one week, pack enough clothes for your entire visit so you won’t have to worry about laundry. If your trip is longer, laundry services will be available at your hotel or cruise ship.

Weight limits

Check luggage limits with your airline to avoid having to pay additional costs. The weight limit for checked baggage is usually around 20 kg and you will be required to pay excess luggage fees should your luggage exceed this limit.

We advise that you carry with you any medication you will require and enough to last the duration of your trip to Russia.

It is important to bring clothing relative to the climate and activities of your tour. If you are travelling to Russia in winter, warm insulated clothes and waterproof footwear are integral. You will also need good quality gloves, a thick scarf and thermal layers to wear.

If you are travelling in Summer, bring clothing that you would usually wear in summer along with a light jacket or sweater for evening activities. Comfortable footwear is preferred. If your program includes a visit to an opera or theatre, we recommend a jacket and dark shoes for men and nice evening clothes for women. Black tie and fancy gowns are unnecessary.

Plugs and adapters

Electrical adapters in Russia use the two prongs round European outlets (see image).

Russia uses 220-volt electricity (America uses 110 volts). Most electrical devices will support both. You can look at the back of the power adapter to find out its supported voltage. If it is 110-240 volts, you can bring your device with you. If it is 110 volts, you will not be able to use it in Russia.

Check with your mobile service provider before you leave to ensure you have international roaming. Most major networks will have a service agreement with one of Russia’s national telcos and if so, your mobile phone will work in most Russian major cities. Mobile network coverage will, however, be limited or non-existent when you’re touring in remote areas of Russia.

Sim cards vs. international roaming

56th Parallel suggests that you consider buying a local sim card should you plan to make international calls to keep your international roaming charges down. Your tour leader will advise you on where you can purchase local sim cards.

Travel apps

Each major Russian city has free travel apps which include train timetables, trip planners and other travel tips when commuting around cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg using public transport.

Apps such as Kayak and Aeroflot will help you keep your flight itineraries together and search for travel information such as hotel and car booking, and check for flight delays and cancellations.

When in Moscow, Yandex.metro app will help you travel on public transport within the city with ease, providing you with maps, timetables, and a trip planner including a tool which searches for the best possible route and calculates your total journey time. When in St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Metro Train app is a must, providing you with travel tips at your fingertips. The Russia Beyond The Headlines (RBTH) app for iPad is the best place to find out what’s happening in Russia, with photo and video galleries of the latest events, movies, theatre and festivals as well as an interactive map to inspire you.

Translation guides

The iTranslate app translates words and phrases for you and is a handy tool for touching upon basic Russian phrases between day tours. 56th Parallel will also provide you with a free basic sayings and phrases e-book following your tour booking.

Many Russians can speak basic English and 56th Parallel’s local tour guides are all English-speaking.

Health and Travel Safety

Health & medicine.

56th Parallel will email you a tour-specific pre-departure information pack upon confirmation of your booking. This Russia travel tips pack will provide a suggested list of items including travel medical supplies. We recommend that you carry any prescribed medications with you and bring enough for your entire trip to Russia. Asthmas sufferers should ensure they have an adequate supply of medicine as, like most major European cities, St. Petersburg and Moscow can be quite polluted.

The health and safety of our guests are of utmost importance at 56th Parallel. Generally, our tours to Russia are intended for travellers in good health, for their safety and that of their fellow travellers. All guests of 56th Parallel must fill out and submit our health issues form. If you do have a pre-existing medical condition, it is vital that we know so in the unlikely event of an emergency or other need for medical assistance, we can take the best course of action.

VACCINES AND PILLS

You will not require any vaccinations for travelling in Russia. Like the majority of Europe, Russia is safe for foreigners. If you are taking prescription medication we recommend that you bring enough to last your entire trip. Even if you find the same medicine in Russia, you will need a prescription from a Russian doctor so difficulties may arise if you run short. Drinking tap water should be avoided, as even most locals don’t drink it unless it is boiled.

Should you get sick in Russia, contact your 56th Parallel tour guide as early as possible to ensure appropriate steps are made and you receive any necessary medical attention.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Despite perceptions, Russia is actually an incredibly safe place. General safety precautions should be taken much like any other travel destination. During your entire trip, you will have the safety and comfort of a private vehicle and driver as well as your 56th Parallel tour leaders.

Naturally, there are basic precautions you should take as you would travelling anywhere else in the world. We recommend that you carry a copy of your passport and visa with you at all times. Your tour leader can advise you on secure storage options of your original documents at each destination (usually a hotel safe will be available in your room).

Be cautious, as just like most major European cities Russia also has its share of pickpockets so be wary of carrying your valuables in your pockets. If you decide to venture out alone, always let your tour group leader or someone in your group know where you’re going and when you expect to return.

Is Tap Water Safe for Drinking in Russia?

We do recommend sticking to bottled water or boiling your tap water before drinking, but tap water won’t do any damage if you only have a few cups. Russian tap water meets sanitary standards, but there are traces of minerals such as too much calcium and sulphate. This doesn’t matter if you only drink a little, but it’s not the healthiest in the long-term. If you’re staying for more than a month, you might want to get into the habit of buying filtered or boiling your water before drinking.

Is it Safe for Women to Travel Alone in Russia?

Yes! Gender stereotypes are still quite rooted in Russian culture, so you’ll find that Russian men are surprisingly chivalrous. The culture views women as strong, independent and respected members of society, similar to images you might have seen of babushkas carrying logs in the tundra forests! So, you will typically feel respected and safe on the streets. Behave in Russia as you would at home.

Our tour leaders and guides will always provide detailed safety briefings when we visit remote/wilderness areas and participate in adventure activities. Listen carefully, follow the advice and always ask your tour leader or guide if there’s anything you’re unsure of.

CANCELLATIONS

Should a cancellation occur please send an email to  [email protected] , including your booking details, at your earliest convenience. Please note that certain fees will apply upon cancellation. 56th Parallel insists that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in any such event. Please refer to our  Booking Terms & Conditions  for more information.

Russia travel tips, The Do’s and Don’ts when in Russia

When visiting Russia there are a few things you should and shouldn’t do. If you’re one of the people who love blending in with the locals, this part of our Russia travel tips is for you!

Dress Nice When You’re Going Out

Russians like to dress nice and they keep it classy. If you’re going to a posh lunch-spot, a theatre or a night-club for a night out on town, you’ll need to look the part. Smart attire for men and a classy outfit for women is in good taste. It’s not complicated, but dressing up for the occasion will make you feel more immersed in the Russian culture during your activities.

Layer Up During Winter!

When winter strikes , you’ll regret it if you don’t layer up properly with a sweater and winter coat before heading out! You won’t get any bragging rights from being underdressed and boasting about how “it’s not that cold!” Dressing appropriately according to the weather is just considered a sensible thing to do. Don’t underestimate the sub-zero temperatures in Russia, dress accordingly, and you’ll enjoy yourself more!

Use the Metro!

The metro systems in Moscow and St. Petersburg are excellent for getting around, and they host some spectacular metro stations as well! The metro departs every 2-4 minutes typically and goes until quite late at night as well. Avoid the buses unless you have no other choice, and stick to the metros, and you’ll have a much better time in the Russian cities.

Learn Some Russian!

We highly suggest you learn some Russian before going! While locals can tell if you’re foreign quite easily, they will definitely appreciate seeing that you made the effort to learn a few phrases. Should you want to learn some basic Russian language, free lessons with audio are available at  Learning Russian .

Etiquette and Courtesy

While riding public transport, you are fully expected to give up your seats for elderly people and pregnant ladies. If you don’t do this the rest of the bus will look at you like a criminal!

Take your shoes off before entering someone’s home. A lot of Russian families have their homes adorned with expensive rugs. Typically you will be offered slippers (tapochki) to wear inside.

Always carry a photocopy of your passport and visa. Don’t be surprised, scared or act rudely towards police officers if you get stopped and asked to show your documentation.

Politics and History

While Russians are fine with having a respectful discussion about global political affairs, you should avoid engaging in a Russian political discussion if you’re not extremely well informed. Especially, don’t critique the current president or the political system unless you have considerable knowledge about history and context. Russians can find this quite patronising, even if they agree with parts of your argument since they often find that foreigners aren’t aware of the circumstances that led to the present political climate. Additionally, you should avoid criticising or pointing out past failures of the Soviet Union & the Russian state. Again, a reasonable discussion is fine, but directly criticising Russian history might not be received well. Tip: make sure to pay tribute to positive Soviet contributions and achievements. Russians have family that might have participated in past wars, and they might view their history with a different lens than you. In general, be respectful and considerate of Russian history and respect their opinions.

Stop in the middle of the Road to Take Pictures

We understand, the architecture in St. Petersburg and Moscow are outstanding, and there are plenty of picturesque scenes. But, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk while people are walking is going to make you stand out as an obvious and inconsiderate tourist, and you might get a few negative reactions. Simply, walk to the side and take your pictures from there, and the locals will be eternally grateful!

Mix Out Your Vodka!

Drinking Vodka is known as a tradition in Russia, and you wouldn’t want to dilute this tradition! Vodka is drunk pure in a single shot, so don’t sip it! If you need something to wash it down with, follow it with a lemon, pickle, or keep a separate glass of water close by. Tip: have some snacks with your vodka, and eat between shots. This will get you heaps of respect from locals and pays tribute to the country’s tradition and culture.

Give in to Stereotypes

We highly suggest that you keep an open mind about Russia and the Russian people when travelling. There are a lot of fantasies and myths about Russia in Western media and culture , so we encourage you to be optimistic and keep an open mind! We’re certain you will find the Russians aren’t so different to you after all!

Customs and Manners

Don’t take pictures inside churches and religious buildings unless you’ve asked the staff if it’s okay to do so.

Avoid burping in public. Your bodily functions are considered private affairs, so it’s best to keep them at home or very discreetly.

That concludes all of our Russia travel tips and an essential before you go checklist! We hope you found it useful in planning your trip to Russia and we look forward to seeing you on one of our journeys!

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Since Russia is the biggest country in the world, I was wondering if there is a major domestic air travel industry in Russia. This is a topic that is obscure in the West.

So my question is, is there something like this in Russia? Are there many flights that you can find for about €10 to €20 between the different Russian cities? Is air travel popular inside of Russia? If not, is there a developing domestic aviation industry in Russia that could be on par with what exists in the EU or USA.

And this comes pretty cheap, usually way cheaper than flying, however expensive comfortable options exist...

Hope this answers your question.

Hey Trevor,

Are you sure it's because of VPN? I thought the issues was mainly because their SWIFT service is off completely and non-single US card worked for me when I tried to book a hotel in Moscow. The reservation was kept for me though, and as soon as I arrived they asked me to pay in cash (rubles only) or through any Russian cards. Never tried switching VPN to Russian channel.

No it’s all sleigh from what I saw. Some train too, but mostly domestic reindeer.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Shift in Russian Tactics Intensifies Air War in Ukraine

Moscow’s recent gains in the east have been aided by more aggressive air support on the front lines. But that also has helped Ukraine shoot down enemy planes in the past two weeks.

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By Constant Méheut

Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine

The Ukraine war has been fought largely on the ground in the past two years, with troops often locked in back-and-forth battles with heavy artillery and drone support. The countries’ air forces have played second fiddle because of Ukraine’s limited fleet of planes and Russia’s inability to gain the air supremacy it once expected.

But as the Russian military presses on with attacks in the east , its air force has taken on a greater role. Military analysts say Russia has increasingly used warplanes near the front lines to drop powerful guided bombs on Ukrainian positions and clear a path forward for the infantry. That tactic, used most notably in Avdiivka, the strategic eastern city captured by Russian forces last month , has yielded good results, experts say.

It has also come with risks.

“It’s a costly but quite effective tool that Russia is now using in the war,” said Serhiy Hrabskyi, a retired Ukrainian army colonel. “It’s dangerous for them to send their fighter jets” close to the front line, he added, but it can “impact Ukrainian positions effectively.”

The Ukrainian Army last week said it had shot down seven Su-34 fighter jets, nearly all operating in the east, just a few days after downing an A-50 long-range radar reconnaissance aircraft. It was, according to Ukrainian officials, part of a series of successful strikes against the Russian Air Force, in which Ukraine claimed to have shot down 15 planes in as many days.

The majority of the shootdowns could not be independently verified, and a senior U.S. official expressed skepticism at that number. The official said the Ukrainians appear to be taking credit in some instances for planes they fire at but which are not confirmed to have been downed.

Oryx, a military analysis site that counts losses based on visual evidence, and Russian military bloggers confirmed the loss of two Su-35 fighter jets. Britain’s military intelligence services confirmed the destruction of the A-50 plane.

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow for air power and technology at the Royal United Services Institute in London, or RUSI, cautioned that “overclaiming on kills is a systemic feature of air warfare.”

But he added that Ukraine “has certainly been conducting an increasing number of ambush type engagements” with the help of air defense systems in recent months and has racked up “notable successes.”

Tom Karako, the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the Russian losses probably were the result of “some relationship between the Russian aircraft being put in harm’s way,” Ukraine’s intelligence gathering on the movements of Russian planes and the deployment of air-defense systems “to take them out.”

After the invasion in February 2022, Ukraine managed to keep Russia from controlling the skies through air combat and the skillful use of antiaircraft missiles. After only a month and heavy losses among its warplanes, Russia stopped flying its aircraft beyond the front lines, RUSI said in a report, turning instead to launching barrages of cruise and ballistic missiles from afar.

But that left Russia “unable to effectively employ the potentially heavy and efficient aerial firepower” of its fighter-bombers to strike Ukrainian frontline positions, the report said.

This began to change early last year when Russia started using glide bombs , guided munitions that are dropped from a plane and can fly long distances to the front lines, limiting the risk to planes from antiaircraft missiles. Carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives, the glide bombs can smash through the underground bunkers that protect soldiers at the front.

“These bombs completely destroy any position,” Egor Sugar, a Ukrainian soldier who fought in Avdiivka, wrote on social media . “All buildings and structures simply turn into a pit after the arrival of just one.”

Ukrainian officials and military analysts said Russian aviation had played an important role in the capture of Avdiivka, one that required Russian jets “to fly closer” to the front line to maximize the effect of the glide bombs. And that exposed them to the risk of being shot down by Ukraine’s air defenses.

In late December, the Ukrainian Army said it destroyed three Su-34 jets near the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the Dnipro River in the south, where Ukrainian troops have secured small positions . Then came the shootdowns in the east.

It remains unclear which air-defense systems Ukraine has deployed. But some army officials and analysts have hinted at the use of U.S.-made Patriot systems, America’s most advanced ground-based air defense system.

The Institute for the Study of War , a Washington-based think tank, said “Russian forces appeared to tolerate an increased rate of aviation losses in recent weeks in order to conduct glide bomb strikes in support of ongoing Russian offensive operations in eastern Ukraine.”

One of Ukraine’s biggest successes in the air battle was the destruction last week of one of Russia’s A-50 radar planes — the second this year — which are critical in coordinating aerial bombardments of Ukrainian positions on the front. “Taking out their eyes, and taking out their targeting ability, that’s a pretty good win,” Mr. Karako said.

Britain’s military intelligence said Russia had seven other A-50s but that it had “highly likely grounded the fleet from flying” in support of its military operations to prevent further losses, thus reducing the “situational awareness provided to aircrews.”

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russian aviation activity in eastern Ukraine had significantly subsided by Saturday evening.

Ukraine has also sought to degrade Moscow’s naval capabilities, causing significant damage to Russia’s Black Sea fleet since the war began, according to Ukrainian officials and military analysts. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian army claimed to have sunk another Russian warship off the coast of Russian-occupied Crimea, using sea drones .

It is unclear how long Russia can sustain air losses. RUSI analysts said last month that Russian aircrew losses amounted to nearly 160 personnel, which they described as “a serious loss of capability.”

The Russian state news agency Tass said on Thursday that the state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec would resume production of the A-50 “since it is needed by the Russian armed forces.”

Mr. Hrabskyi, the retired colonel, likened Russia’s costly strategy in the air to its tactics on the ground, where it has sent wave after wave of troops in bloody assaults to capture cities, regardless of the human cost. “The Russians don’t care,” he said. “If they have an order, they will use all available capabilities, all available weapons systems to attack.”

Eric Schmitt contributed reporting from Washington, D.C.

Constant Méheut has covered France from the Paris bureau of The Times since 2020. More about Constant Méheut

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

News and Analysis

Russian missiles streaked into Kyiv  in the biggest assault on the Ukrainian capital in weeks, injuring several people and damaging several buildings.

Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s top national security official, made a secret trip to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and reaffirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine.

Under pressure to come up with billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s military, the E.U. said that it had devised a legal way to use frozen Russian assets  to help arm Ukraine.

Symbolism or Strategy?: Ukrainians say that defending places with little strategic value is worth the cost in casualties and weapons , because the attacking Russians pay an even higher price. American officials aren’t so sure.

Elaborate Tales: As the Ukraine war grinds on, the Kremlin has created increasingly complex fabrications online  to discredit Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, and undermine the country’s support in the West.

Targeting Russia’s Oil Industry: With its army short of ammunition and troops to break the deadlock on the battlefield, Kyiv has increasingly taken the fight beyond the Ukrainian border, attacking oil infrastructure deep in Russian territory .

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .

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Ukrainian air carrier SkyUp builds up Europe business to survive war

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Southwest Airlines transport workers approve new labor contract

Southwest Airlines said on Thursday ramp, operations, provisioning and cargo agents approved a new five-year labor contract.

Make airlines pay for cancelled flights and lost luggage, Coalition argues in 'Pay on Delay' bill

The Coalition has argued for domestic travellers to be compensated when airlines delay or cancel flights, or when their luggage is lost or damaged in transit, as their 'Pay on Delay' bill is debated in the Senate.

The legislation introduced by Coalition senators Bridget McKenzie and Dean Smith would create new protections for passengers by obliging airlines to provide refunds or compensation where an airline chooses to cancel or delay flights, where a passenger is denied boarding for a purchased flight, or where luggage is lost or damaged.

Airlines would also be required to ensure passengers "complete their itinerary" where the delay is outside of their control, such as in weather and security events.

Additionally, the code of conduct would also create some minimum standards of treatment for passengers, including requirements that children under 14 be seated near to their parent or guardian.

The aviation industry has been under intense scrutiny since returning to the skies after the COVID pandemic, as rising ticket prices, widespread delays and cancellations, and accusations tickets for already-cancelled flights were knowingly sold to customers.

Almost a third of flights were cancelled or delayed over the January holiday period this year, with airlines little improved after the industry was knocked down by the pandemic.

Between the two major airline groups Qantas and Virgin, who dominate almost the entire domestic aviation industry, there were 1,305 flights cancelled in January alone.

Shadow Transport Minister Bridget McKenzie told the Senate compensation schemes existed in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada, but in Australia passengers were "left stranded".

"This issue transcends mere inconvenience. It's a matter of fairness, transparency and respect for Australian consumers," Senator McKenzie said.

"Passengers travel under consumer protections when travelling internationally. Why shouldn't domestic passengers be operating under a similar framework?"

Senator McKenzie said if the government refused the opposition's bill it would be maintaining a "protection racket" for the airline duopoly.

Labor senator and former Transport Workers Union secretary Tony Sheldon said Senator McKenzie and the Coalition had the opportunity to address the issue when it was in government.

"We never heard a peep out of Senator McKenzie and her colleagues in the Liberals and Nationals in the nine years they were in government," Senator Sheldon told the chamber.

"All the times and ways Qantas ripped off their customers, all their staff during those nine years, there was no interest.

"It's clear this bill is nothing more than a political stunt."

 Qantas last year rejected suggestions it should pay compensation for delayed and cancelled flights, saying doing so would force them to increase air fares.

The airline said increased confusion and complaints would make travel more difficult and do nothing to reduce delays.

Qantas last month posted an $873 million half-year net profit , a 13 per cent fall that it largely attributed to air fares falling from their post-pandemic peak.

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Boeing's woes could mean higher airfares for U.S. travelers

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Alain Sherter, Aimee Picchi

Updated on: March 19, 2024 / 12:33 PM EDT / CBS News

Boeing's production woes could lead to higher airfares and fewer flights for travelers to choose from. 

The aviation giant is experiencing production delays as it grapples with the fallout from a Jan. 5 emergency on an Alaska Airlines flight , including addressing manufacturing and other operational defects. That is delaying aircraft deliveries for carriers including United Airlines and Southwest Air Lines.

Boeing data  shows that through the end of February, it had a backlog of nearly 4,800 orders for  737 Max aircraft. That included 71 737 Max planes purchased by American Airlines, 100 for Delta Air Lines, 219 for Ryanair, 483 for Southwest and 349 for United. Their expected delivery dates were not specified. The aircraft manufacturer delivered a total of 42 737 Max jets in the first two months of the year.

"Disappointing news for consumers"

"It's not that airlines will have to cut flights — it's that they won't be able to add as many new flights as they perhaps had hoped to for the summer," Henry Harteveldt, an airline analyst with Atmosphere Research Group, told CBS MoneyWatch. "It's disappointing news for consumers and for airlines. Consumers may not have as many flights, and airlines won't be able to offer as many flights and make more money. It's lose-lose for airlines and travelers." 

Southwest said it does not publicly discuss airfare prices. United also did not comment on airfares. 

Even without a delay in jet deliveries, strong consumer demand can drive up the price for tickets. But reduced aircraft production capacity and high fuel costs are expected to put even more upward pressure on the cost of flying. 

"Airlines are intimating that summer demand looks good, and that to me suggests that airfares would be higher anyway," Harteveldt said. "But obviously, when an airline doesn't have all the aircraft it expects to have and thus can't operate all the flights with all the capacity, there's a chance airfares would be higher than they otherwise would have been."

Working in consumers' favor is the fact that budget airlines including Breeze, Spirit and Velo are expanding, he added. "That provides a counterbalance to the fares the larger airlines charge."

Airline plans hit turbulence

Aircraft production issues have thrown airlines' "business and capacity plans into disarray for most of the second half of the year," said Robert Mann of R.W. Mann & Company, an airline industry consulting firm.

Southwest, which only flies 737s, will feel the hit from Boeing's issues most acutely. The airline has indicated it does not expect the 86 Boeing aircraft it had ordered to arrive this year, making it impossible for the airline to add fligths. 

"It will inevitably mean less capacity in the second half of the year against what the airline had indicated earlier. An abrupt reduction in capacity like that will result in some higher prices," Mann said.  

He expects consumers to have fewer flights to choose from on domestic and short-haul international routes to places such as Mexico and The Caribbean. 

Prices for air tickets sold in February were up about 6%, according to the Airline Reporting Corporation. Mann expects costs to rise by as much as 10% in some cases. On an average fare of $573, that's roughly $57 more; for a family of four, that amounts to an extra $230 additional dollars. 

"It could be significant," he said. 

Public perception of how safe it is to fly is paramount to airlines and the air travel industry. In a worst-case outcome for airlines, Boeing's woes could lead some travelers to pull back on plane travel over perceived risks.

But aircraft manufacturers' production problems aren't expected to lead to a significant change in consumer behavior, according to Scott Keyes of Going.com. 

"When you buy a ticket, you're not buying from Boeing or Airbus, you by from Delta, United or Spirit," Keyes said. "You don't look at what airplane will be flying and optimistically there will be little impact on the number of travelers."

If bookings were to drop, airlines would have to slash fares to try to lure people back to the skies. 

"If you shaved away one to 4%, that could have big impact on margins and we'd see cheaper fares," Keyes said.  

• Boeing 737 Max

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

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