Premium #187 – Russia – Aviation Market Survey

With data now available through the 2nd quarter of 2015, we took a look at the Russian civil aviation market, our third in a series of market surveys.  This market is facing challenges and are there any trends one can discern? The recent purchase by Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline of the country’s second largest airlines Transaero demonstrates the market is in flux.

As of end June 2015, there were 1,320 commercial jet aircraft in the national fleet. Of these 49 were in use as VIP and government aircraft and 25 are freighters. Because it’s Russia there are some intriguing aircraft in use. Listed among the commercial aircraft is an IL-86 flown by an airline named “VOYENNAYA TRANSPORT“. There are 23 aircraft listed as “Utility” and these are typically operated by the state. We estimate the state operates 58 commercial type aircraft. The number in passenger service is 1,215.  The table below breaks down the fleet.

Breaking this fleet down by manufacturer generates the following chart. Note that unlike China

and India, Russia has a long and impressive history in aerospace and aircraft development. But the collapse of the country’s aerospace capabilities post the Soviet Union has been devastating to its domestic industry. Of the in service aircraft only 27.9% are Russian made. But of those parked, 77.8% are Russian made. The decision by the state to merge its various aircraft firms under one umbrella company, United Aircraft Corporation, makes sense. While financially these firms could not survive on their own, at least as a combine the country would not lose all its talent and IP.