Airlines

Ilyushin Il-96 Cubana Aircraft Returns to Home, After 14 Months

CU-T1250, registered as Ilyushin Il-96-300 of Cubana de Aviación, made its landing at José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana, Cuba, following a fourteen-month absence from the island. It was the airline’s second recovered aircraft, and its arrival signaled the end of its inspection period in Russia.

Cuba had not been able to maintain its fleet due to a shortage of parts for its aircraft made in Russia. Executives at Cubana de Aviación blamed the US sanctions for this challenge.

Cubana de Aviación received its IL 96-300 aircraft at the José Martí International Airport after checks and repairs for 14 months in Russia.#aircraft pic.twitter.com/eHKwMjumua
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) December 3, 2023

Experts and specialists from Russia and Cuba completed a 14-month-long general repair of the device, making improvements to the air navigation, security systems, and overall comfort while also raising the level of services provided on board.

December 2nd saw the departure of CU-T1250 from Moscow-Zhukovsky International Airport. En route to Havana, the aircraft passed through Finnish, Norwegian, and Arctic airspace before touching down in Gander, Canada (YQX).

As a result of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Spain has placed restrictions on Russian models, so it is currently unclear when the airline will start operating to Argentina and Spain again.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.