Register

Analysts Speculate Russia Might Not Return Hundreds of Leased Airliners

Flight restrictions put leasing companies outside Russia in a difficult position.

As many as 589 Western-built aircraft worth about $13 billion wait on ramps at Russian airports. [File photo: Adobe Stock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Hundreds of leased Western-built aircraft (approximately 589, worth $13 billion) are stranded in Russia due to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
  • Lessors face significant challenges in retrieving these planes by the March 28th deadline due to airspace restrictions and the hostile environment.
  • There are major concerns that the Russian government could confiscate these aircraft, posing a potentially massive loss for the aviation war risk insurance market.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Hundreds of leased aircraft are stranded in Russia, aviation consultants say, as a result of airspace restrictions stemming from Western sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

As many as 589 Western-built aircraft worth about $13 billion wait on ramps at Russian airports across that country, according to data and analytics company Russell Group.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE