Aviation

Russia Seeks Foreign Carriers to Boost Domestic Air Travel

As Western sanctions continue to impact its aviation sector, Russia is turning to Kazakhstan for support. The Russian Ministry of Transport has revealed that negotiations are underway for Kazakhstani airlines to enter the Russian domestic market and operate local flights.

This initiative aims to address the dwindling fleet of Russian airlines, which has faced significant challenges since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

Before the war, Russia boasted approximately 850 aircraft. However, the fleet has now decreased to just 736, primarily due to sanctions that have restricted access to essential spare parts and new aircraft. Some estimates suggest that Russia could lose up to half of its aircraft fleet within the next two years.

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For 2025, Russian officials initially aimed for the production of 82 aircraft but have since revised that target down to just 20. Similar reductions have been made for 2026 and 2027, with planned outputs decreasing from 120 to 97 and from 180 to 140, respectively.

In light of these challenges, Russian authorities have extended invitations to airlines from Kazakhstan and other unnamed countries with good relations to Russian carriers. This strategy is seen as a vital step to bolster the domestic air travel market amidst the ongoing limitations.

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Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, a state corporation responsible for promoting the development and export of high-tech products, has warned that the accelerated retirement of foreign-manufactured airliners will commence in 2025, as they will soon require major repairs.

In a related development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively seeking next-generation Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to enhance its logistical capabilities in transporting troops and military equipment to remote mountainous areas, particularly along its borders with Pakistan and China.

In response, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has proposed the manufacturing of its advanced IL-76MD-90A transport aircraft in India, showcasing a commitment to international cooperation in aviation il-76 amidst current geopolitical challenges.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.