RuAviation

S7 Airlines is experiencing significant operational difficulties with its Airbus A320/321neo family of aircraft, stemming from issues with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines. Out of the airline’s fleet of 39 of these aircraft, 31 are grounded due to the inability to repair the engines within Russia because of imposed sanctions and the lack of supply of necessary spare parts.

A considerable number of the grounded aircraft, specifically eight A321neos, were taken out of service as early as 2023. The remaining A320neos have been progressively withdrawn from service throughout 2024. The majority of them are currently parked at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport and Novosibirsk’s Tolmachevo Airport.

Some years ago, the airline already faced the necessity of parking its B737 MAX aircraft. The aircraft with registrations VQ-BGV and VQ-BGW, belonging to S7, were kept in storage at Tolmachevo Airport for an extended period, requiring substantial expenditure on maintenance and keeping the machines in airworthy condition. The airline approached the Ministry of Transport with a request to authorise their return to the foreign lessor. This permission was granted in the summer of 2022.

We asked Oleg Evdokimov, President of ATEO Air, economist, author of over 500 articles on aviation economics, and known primarily as an aggressive promoter of the Superjet 100 aircraft, to comment on the current situation with S7’s aircraft and to share his opinion on the present status of the SJ-100 programme.

“Oleg Andreyevich, good day! It’s been a while since we last spoke, but today there’s a good reason: UAC has announced that in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, active preparations are underway for two SJ-100 aircraft to undertake certification flights. Time is pressing. We’re keen to know your opinion, and what new topics are occupying you in a situation where your efforts to promote the ‘Superjet’ on export markets have been forcibly suspended?”

“Yes, indeed, the problem, primarily with the engines, has led to a temporary halt in the production of this excellent aircraft. But fate cannot be avoided, and I am confident that the time when production will be restored and expanded in quality is near. This includes visible progress with the PD-8 engine and the looming prospect of the cessation of the confrontation between Russia and the West after the arrival to power in the United States of a quite extraordinary personality – President Donald Trump.”

“I’m confident that soon Russia, like Airbus or Boeing, will offer the client a choice of 2 engines. I repeat, there is no alternative to the Superjet on the global market today. It is sufficient to look at the off-season load factor indicators of the A320 and B737 – they are appalling, despite global dumping.”

“You touched on the topic of relations between Russia and the West after the resolution of the conflict. What should we expect and how should we act in this regard?”

“I believe that the removal of all sanctions and obstacles is inevitable. Everyone has already had the opportunity to see how sharply the efficiency of economies falls in a disintegrated world. This means that Superjets will be exported, and ‘Airbuses’ will return to Russia as new aircraft.”

“I want to ask you about the story with S7’s aircraft. We touched on this subject with you back in 2022, when their B737 MAX aircraft were grounded. Are you satisfied with how events have unfolded since that publication?”

“On the one hand – yes. The commission, headed by the deeply respected Vitaly Savelyev, issued permission for the return of the aircraft, and one of them is now flying to Russia under the flag of the Kazakh company SCAT. But the fact that negotiations with the owners of the aircraft did not touch on the parity I proposed, in terms of returning four Superjets that have been parked in Venice for nine years, and engines for the Superjets that are in warehouses in France, was disappointing. Parity is important in such situations.”

Oleg Evdokimov: 737MAX should be returned to lessors, and fly on SSJ100

“Currently, as we know, a similar situation has developed with S7’s ‘neo’ aircraft. What do you think about this? Have you delved into the details?”

“Yes, we’ve spoken with representatives of S7 and with the aircraft owners. Thanks to my extensive network of contacts in the aviation industry, this is not difficult for me. Again, I repeat – the aircraft must be returned, but taking into account the interests of all parties.”

“We have provisionally agreed that the withdrawn aircraft will be transferred on favourable terms to airlines in friendly countries and will fly to Russia. There are specific requests for these aircraft from airlines in Africa and the Middle East. There is also interest in the Maldives, where the national carrier has begun to actively develop the international component, in particular, recently flying to three cities in China. They are all within the range of the A321neo. The authorities of the island state, which are very friendly towards Russia, are hoping for our support.”

“Have you already applied to the Ministry of Transport commission for similar permission?”

“Such an application is currently being prepared. The issue is global – both political and economic – and we are confident in the support of our approach by the authorities.”

“Allow me to wish you success in structuring this complex deal.”

“Thank you, and I will keep you updated on developments.”

Andrey Velichko
for the ‘Aviation of Russia’ website