The first operators of Russia’s new Yakovlev MC-21 airliner were always set to face teething problems given the immaturity of the narrowbody’s PD-14 turbofan.
Russia’s largest airline did not disclose where it had acquired them, 18 months after export aircraft spare parts to Russia was prohibited by Western sanctions.
Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev reaffirmed his forecast that the country’s airline industry was likely to carry 101.2 million passengers in 2023.
The agreement between the national carriers Russia and Venezuela will see Aeroflot and Conviasa develop connectivity between Russia, Venezuela and Cuba.
Aeroflot Group and S7 Airlines have called on Moscow to review its prohibition on wet leasing as the number of airworthy aircraft in Russia gradually shrinks.
Russian airlines continue to maintain foreign-made commercial airliners despite Western sanctions that banned spare parts delivery to the country a year ago.