Russia has intensified its diplomatic offensive at the triennial Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), being held in Montreal until October 3rd. Russian authorities are pressuring regulators and delegates to relax sanctions that block the acquisition of spare parts and limit overflight permits, measures that Moscow describes as “coercive and illegal.”
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian airlines have been isolated from Western manufacturers and suppliers. Access to spare parts for more than 700 aircraft, mostly Airbus and Boeing, now depends on complex indirect import routes.
Russian Argument: Flight Safety at Stake
According to Russian aviation sector sources cited by Reuters, Moscow’s primary concern is guaranteeing the availability of critical components to maintain safety standards. In its official documents, Russia argues that these restrictions contravene global norms and limit a basic right: freedom of movement, regardless of nationality or citizenship.
Furthermore, the Kremlin is directly targeting the closure of airspace by 37 countries and the prohibitions related to maintenance and even aircraft insurance.
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An Attempt to Regain Influence at ICAO
Moscow is also seeking to regain a seat on the 36-State council that governs ICAO, after losing the vote in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. However, opposition is already being felt. Canada, the host country of the organization, stated it will not support the Russian candidacy. “Canada is aware of Russia’s nomination… and does not support its election,” a Global Affairs spokesperson said.
A Deteriorating Fleet
The isolation has left its mark on Russian aviation. The reliance on foreign-made aircraft, coupled with the inability to import all necessary spare parts through “gray” schemes, threatens to ground a significant portion of the fleet. Recent examples reinforce this concern: last July, an Antonov An-24 manufactured in 1976 crashed in the Russian Far East, causing 48 fatalities. Days later, Aeroflot had to suspend dozens of flights after a cyberattack paralyzed its operations.
Political Background
Russia’s request comes just one week after the United States lifted sanctions on Belavia, the Belarusian state airline, previously penalized for its support of Moscow in the war. For Russia, this precedent demonstrates that restrictive measures are reversible and that ICAO must act to prevent countries from applying “politically biased” sanctions in international aviation.
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