Russian companies have suspended flights of 34 out of 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft in their fleets, reported "Kommersant". These aircraft are equipped with advanced but problematic Pratt & Whitney engines: they cannot be repaired in Russia due to complexity, nor imported into the country due to sanctions and shortages in the global market.
The large-scale withdrawal of A320/A321neo (about 10% of the entire foreign mainline air fleet in Russia) from operation, according to the publication's interlocutors, is possible as early as 2026.
The airline most affected is S7, which has "parked" 31 out of 39 A320/A321neo aircraft aged three to seven years. These aircraft are equipped with American Pratt & Whitney engines. According to one of the publication's sources, for S7, the withdrawal of A320/A321neo will mean a reduction in transportation by 10–15% by the end of next year.
Nine A320/A321neo aircraft are with Aeroflot, two of which are under maintenance. Another 11 are with Ural Airlines, one of which has been "parked" since the beginning of October due to engine resource depletion. Two each are with Nordwind and Smartavia. Three more are with Northwest, with the third, a business jet ACJ320neo, having arrived this summer. These aircraft are equipped with French Leap engines, the situation with which is considered slightly less complicated than with P&W.
None of Kommersant's interlocutors believe in the possibility of mastering A320/A321neo engine repairs in Russia, and several sources believe they can be taken abroad for repairs, noting that several airlines have already requested permission from the Ministry of Transport to export them but have not received a response.