Russian Airlines Skirt Sanctions to Keep Jets Flying

Summary

Bloomberg's investigation reveals how Russian airlines circumvent Western sanctions by procuring aircraft parts through intermediaries in countries like India, Turkey, UAE, and Kazakhstan. Despite sanctions, the Russian fleet has only seen a minimal decline and passenger numbers remain at pre-war levels. The report highlights the challenges of enforcing sanctions and the thriving smuggling networks.

• Russian airlines use intermediaries in friendly countries to obtain Western aircraft parts.
• Examples include a Luxembourg trader unwittingly supplying engines via an Indian buyer.
• The number of Airbus and Boeing jets in Russia's fleet has barely declined since 2023.
• Exports of aircraft parts to Russia have increased since the war began.
• Passenger numbers on Russian aircraft are back to pre-war levels.
• Sanctions enforcement is being undermined by shell companies and smuggling routes.