Aviaexpert Lukashevich: Security of civil air transportation in Russia is now under threat

EU sanctions affecting the supply of aircraft parts to Russia are the first truly serious measures that will hit air travel. This opinion was expressed by an independent aviation expert, candidate of technical sciences Vadim Lukashevich in an interview with a Rosbalt correspondent.

“The ban on the supply of spare parts is really critical. So far, we have only a few of our “superjets”, which cost more than they fly. And keep in mind that Superjet is an aircraft for regional airlines only. And if we are talking about medium and long-range aircraft, we by and large do not have our own, ”said the aviation expert.

According to him, among medium-haul aircraft in Russia there are European Airbus A320 and A319 – they will be affected by EU sanctions. There are also American Boeing 737s. Among the long-haul ones are Airbus A330 and A340, Boeing 747 and 777. There is also a domestic medium-haul MS-21, but it has only received a general airworthiness certificate.

“It is not yet certified with our composite wing and with an American engine. And our PD-14 engine is not certified yet. And serial production of aircraft has not yet been established, ”said the aviation expert.

The expert emphasized that it is one thing to simply fly old aircraft and not be able to purchase a new one. Another is when there is nowhere to get spare parts.

“So, if the power structure of the airframe has a resource of 30-40 thousand hours or 20-30 thousand take-offs, the engines have much less – and even then, subject to normal pre-flight and inter-flight maintenance. Various parts of the engine, for example, have a resource of 500-1000 hours,” the expert explained.

In aviation, all requirements must be strictly observed: spare parts must be changed according to the schedule, use, for example, a strictly defined fluid for the hydraulic system, a strictly defined oil, etc.

“There is, of course, an option with Chinese counterfeit parts, but they have a much shorter shelf life. And if you use them, you can forget about flight safety – or the Federal Air Transport Agency should take responsibility for the fact that planes fly on parole, take responsibility for future accidents, ”the expert emphasized, adding that now civil transportation in the country questionable. In the coming months, airlines may have problems with spare parts.

“Air cannibalism will soon begin. Example: there are 10 “superjets” in stock, but 8 flies, since two are used for spare parts. At the same time, the costs are the same as for all 10 aircraft. And only flying planes bring profit – on the ground from them only losses. What happens next is anyone’s guess. How to get from Novosibirsk to Moscow? By train? the expert asks.

Recall, earlier it became known that due to the Russian military operation in Ukraine, the EU will impose a ban on the sale of all aircraft, spare parts and equipment to Russian airlines.