U.S. Blocks $500M Worth of Aircraft Parts Paid For by Russia

Russia’s aviation industry faces a major setback as $500 million worth of aircraft parts, already paid for, remain blocked in the United States due to ongoing sanctions.

Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov revealed the situation in an interview with Izvestia, stating that Moscow is keen on resolving the issue and unblocking the delivery of these crucial components.

The frozen parts, which are believed to include machine tools and vital aviation components like Honeywell’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), are essential for maintaining and servicing aircraft, particularly those from Boeing and Airbus. Experts suggest that these parts are critical for the operation of CFM-56 engines used in Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.

The Russian aviation sector is currently grappling with the consequences of Western sanctions that severely impact aircraft maintenance and operations. Sanctions imposed by both the U.S. and the EU restrict the supply and repair of aircraft, affecting the functionality of key systems. Even if the U.S. were to lift its sanctions, the EU’s ongoing ban would continue to prevent the supply of vital spare parts, particularly for CFM-56 engines, produced by the U.S.-EU joint venture CMF International.

As part of Russia’s ongoing efforts to regain control over its aviation capabilities, the country is also pushing for the recognition of repair work on Boeing and Airbus aircraft carried out by Russian companies. These repairs are performed without licenses, in defiance of the sanctions.

The situation comes amid broader geopolitical shifts, with President Vladimir Putin recently directing his government to explore ways to allow foreign companies to re-enter the Russian market, following peace talks in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow is also focusing on boosting domestic aviation manufacturing, with the first deliveries of Tu-214 aircraft set for 2025 and the MS-21 airliners expected to enter service in 2026.