Aeroflot to Dismantle 737 and 747 Cargo Jets for Spare Parts
Russia’s flag carrier, Aeroflot, is reportedly preparing to dismantle eight Boeing cargo aircraft to use as spare parts in maintaining its passenger fleet, according to a report by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. The move underscores the growing pressure on Russia’s aviation sector, which continues to grapple with sanctions that have severely restricted access to Western-built aircraft parts and maintenance services.
The aircraft in question—six Boeing 737-800BCFs (Boeing Converted Freighters) and two Boeing 747-400s—are believed to originate from Volga-Dnepr Airlines, a major Russian air cargo operator. Under the reported deal, valued at around $130 million, the planes will be transferred to Aeroflot’s subsidiaries, Pobeda Airlines and Rossiya Airlines, through financial leasing agreements. Funding for the acquisition is expected to come from Russia’s National Welfare Fund, one of the country’s key sovereign investment vehicles.
If confirmed, this would mark the first instance of a Russian passenger carrier purchasing dedicated freighter aircraft solely for dismantling and component reuse. The practice—known in the aviation industry as “aircraft cannibalization”—has become an increasingly common workaround for Russian airlines since the onset of Western sanctions following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Before the war, Russia operated an estimated 1,500 to 1,800 Western-made commercial aircraft, primarily manufactured by Airbus and Boeing. After sanctions were imposed by the United States and the European Union, Russian airlines were cut off from official supply chains, spare parts, and manufacturer-certified maintenance. As a result, airlines have been forced to turn to third-party and unofficial sources to maintain airworthiness, raising significant safety and regulatory concerns.
Cannibalization involves stripping grounded or out-of-service aircraft for usable components—such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and hydraulic systems—which are then installed on active aircraft. While this practice can temporarily extend an airline’s operational capacity, it carries considerable risks. Components obtained through non-certified channels often lack verifiable maintenance histories, airworthiness certifications, and manufacturer warranties, potentially compromising flight safety.
Analysts suggest that Aeroflot’s move highlights the deepening strain within Russia’s commercial aviation industry. Sanctions have disrupted the supply of essential consumables like filters, tires, and electronic modules, forcing operators to adopt increasingly unsustainable maintenance practices.
According to Ukraine’s intelligence service, if these conditions continue, Russia’s active civil aviation fleet could shrink by more than 50% by 2026 as spare parts inventories deplete and aircraft become unserviceable.
Despite these challenges, Aeroflot continues to operate a largely Western-built fleet, with Boeing and Airbus models accounting for a majority of its aircraft. The company is simultaneously supporting efforts to accelerate the development of domestic alternatives such as the Irkut MC-21 and the Sukhoi Superjet 100, though these programs face their own delays and reliance on imported components.
Aeroflot’s reported dismantling of Boeing cargo jets marks a stark reminder of how international sanctions have reshaped Russia’s aviation landscape—forcing once-premier carriers into survival mode and highlighting the long-term consequences of isolation from the global aerospace supply chain.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Aeroflot, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aerotime.aero