International sanctions implemented against Russian civil aviation have shown little impact
Russian aviation has faced extraordinary challenges in the past year, as it did in 2022. The sector was hit hard by the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States, particularly in 2022. According to reports, the sanctions resulted in suppliers of components severing ties with Russia's aviation industry, prohibiting the delivery of new aircraft, technical maintenance, spare parts, and consumables. The statistics on domestic flights in Russia show a decrease in the number of flights in 2021 due to the sanctions, but a notable increase in 2023, with 1,280,807 flights recorded in the recent year, 18 thousand more than in 2022. The article "Profile" offers insights into how Russian aviation survived the past year and what to expect in 2024. It also provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by the industry and its future prospects. The plan to weaken Russia through the lack of access to aviation technologies failed, as the Russian aviation industry was able to adapt and rely on domestic production. Michael Roth, the Social Democratic Party of Germany's representative for foreign policy, disagrees that sanctions are ineffective, believing that they do affect Russia's economy, although not as quickly or comprehensively as desired. He also notes that Moscow is constantly seeking new markets. The restrictions on Russia were aimed at weakening it, specifically in the aviation sector. TASS reported that the sanctions disrupted the supply of technical maintenance, spare parts, and consumables for Russian aviation, forcing Russia to replace Western components in the Irkut MC-21. Despite the challenges, the Russian aviation industry has shown resilience. The plan to weaken Russia through the lack of access to aviation technologies did not significantly weaken the country, contrary to initial hopes. The industry is looking forward to the future with a focus on domestic production and new markets. Michael Roth emphasizes the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving international conflicts. He believes that sanctions should be used as a tool to influence behaviour, but not as a sole solution to complex problems. The future of Russian aviation, like many industries, remains uncertain, but the sector continues to adapt and innovate in the face of challenges.
