Aeroflot Overhauls First A320 Engines, Targets MRO Launch by 2027

Aeroflot Group has completed its first in-house overhaul of Western-built jet engines, marking a significant milestone in the carrier’s efforts to localise maintenance capabilities amid ongoing international sanctions.

The group confirmed that three CFM56-5B engines installed on Aeroflot Airbus A320-200 aircraft have been independently repaired. The work was carried out by AeroTrustTechnics, a wholly owned Aeroflot Group subsidiary established to focus on engine maintenance and technical services.

Speaking in an interview with Russian state broadcaster Rossiya 24 on December 26, Aeroflot Group chief executive Sergei Aleksandrovsky said the successful completion of the overhauls represents an important step toward restoring technical self-sufficiency. He added that Aeroflot plans to inaugurate a dedicated engine repair facility in the fourth quarter of 2027, significantly expanding domestic MRO capacity.

Russian airlines lost access to most foreign maintenance centres and spare parts for CFM International and Pratt & Whitney engines following sanctions imposed in 2022. Since then, operators have been forced to rely on parts pooling, cannibalisation, and domestic engineering solutions to keep fleets operational. The ability to complete certified overhauls locally is therefore seen as critical to sustaining Airbus A320-family operations in Russia over the medium to long term.

The CFM56-5B powers a significant portion of Aeroflot’s narrowbody fleet, making it a priority for localisation. While details of the overhaul scope and certification process were not disclosed, the completion of multiple engines suggests progress in tooling, engineering expertise, and supply chain adaptation.

Aleksandrovsky said the planned engine repair facility will form part of a broader strategy to rebuild Russia’s civil aviation maintenance ecosystem. The site is expected to support Aeroflot Group aircraft initially, with potential to offer third-party services to other Russian operators in the future. Analysts note that full engine MRO capability typically requires years of development, particularly under restricted access to OEM technical support and original spare parts.

Separately, the Aeroflot Group CEO confirmed that the airline is considering wet-leasing additional aircraft in 2026 as it manages capacity and fleet availability. Aeroflot currently wet leases three Airbus A330-300 from iFly Airlines, following regulatory approval for domestic wet leasing granted in September 2024.

Wet leasing has become an increasingly important tool for Russian airlines seeking to maintain widebody capacity while navigating aircraft availability constraints and maintenance limitations. The potential addition of further leased aircraft would allow Aeroflot to stabilise its long-haul schedule while longer-term fleet and MRO solutions are developed.

The completion of the first CFM56 overhauls and the announcement of a future engine repair facility underline Aeroflot Group’s push toward technical independence. While challenges remain, particularly around spare parts sourcing and certification, the developments signal a gradual rebuilding of domestic maintenance capability that will be central to Russia’s commercial aviation strategy in the years ahead.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com