Passenger Transport Planes: Russian Transport Ministry Reportedly Reaches Out to Kazakhstan

Russian authorities have begun negotiations with "friendly" countries to resolve the shortage of aircraft for domestic flights, Orda.kz reports, citing The Moscow Times.

Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit said Kazakhstan could be a potential partner. Kazakhstan's airlines are currently being discussed as a possible partner in carrying out so-called cabotage flights — flights between cities within Russia.

At the moment, only Russian air carriers can operate such flights. A shortage of aircraft has caused authorities to consider changing this regulation, however.

The Russian air fleet previously consisted of about 850 aircraft, but by 2023, the number had decreased to 736. Experts estimate that sanctions that ban Western aircraft and parts supplies could further halve Russia's fleet by 2026.

Russia had planned to replace foreign planes with its own by launching an ambitious production program. Only a few were built in 2023.

The plans had to be revised: in 2025, only 20 aircraft, instead of the previously planned 82, will be produced. The plan for 2026 was reduced from 120 airliners to 97, and for 2027, from 180 to 140.

First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov reported that the program will be adjusted depending on the certification deadlines and production capabilities.

Then we will understand more precise parameters, based on the fact that we will be approaching the completion of all certification procedures, and we will finally understand what quantity, in what years, which airlines will receive,
 said Manturov.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan had previously announced the purchase of helicopters from Russia to improve emergency rescue services.

Original Author: Alina Pak