Russia’s Aeroflot Targets International Jets Under New Leasing Rules

In a high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Aeroflot CEO Sergei Aleksandrovsky announced plans to amend the Russian Air Code, allowing the airline to acquire aircraft through international wet-lease agreements. As reported by FlightGlobal.

This strategic move aims to expand Aeroflot’s fleet and enhance domestic and international connectivity.

Aeroflot’s Push for Wet-Lease Expansion

The proposed amendments follow Aeroflot’s successful adoption of domestic wet-leasing, which enabled the airline to integrate Airbus A330s from iFly. Now, the carrier seeks to access global leasing markets to further boost capacity.

“We’re working on the next phase,” Aleksandrovsky stated. “These changes will let us source aircraft internationally, increasing fleet size and improving transport accessibility across Russia.”

Record-Breaking Performance in 2023

Aeroflot Group reported 55 million passengers in 2023—a 17% increase YoY, with 43 million traveling domestically. This marks the airline’s highest domestic passenger volume in a decade.

Key factors driving growth:
✔ Expanded regional routes – 60% of flights now bypass Moscow, improving connectivity.
✔ Rising demand in smaller cities – Gorno-Altaysk and others may get new airports.
✔ Superjet ‘Shuttle’ success – 70 daily flights with 90% load factors, boosting efficiency.

Rebuilding International Presence Post-Sanctions

Despite Western sanctions, Aeroflot has restored flights to 20 countries, including:

• Asia (7 countries) – China saw a 3x passenger surge (though competition remains fierce).
• CIS (6 countries) – Strengthening regional ties.
• Middle East & Africa (5 countries) – Expanding tourism and business routes.
• Cuba & Turkey – Key leisure and trade destinations.

Russian Aviation’s Financial Recovery

The broader Russian aviation industry has rebounded strongly:

• Domestic traffic hit 111.6 million in 2024—a new record.
• Aeroflot led profitability with 22B RUB ($255M) net profit, followed by Ural Airlines and S7.

Future Outlook: Growth Despite Challenges

With new leasing laws and a thriving domestic market, Aeroflot is positioning itself for long-term expansion. The airline’s strategy focuses on:
–Regional hub development – Reducing Moscow dependency.
–Fleet modernization – Leveraging wet-leasing for rapid growth.
–Global route recovery – Steadily rebuilding international networks.