By avoiding sanctions, Russian airlines are trying to negotiate with lessors to buy planes. But to no avail.
Russia will either persuade Western lessors to sell it more than 500 aircraft, which now make up about half of Russia's air fleet, or return the aircraft to their western owners. This follows from the statement of the head of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation Vitaly Savelyev.
“The purchase of aircraft should be or should not be. Because the company's lease payments must continue to pay,” – said Savelyev.
At the same time, he noted that Russian airlines are trying to negotiate with lessors to buy planes (bypassing sanctions, – ed.), “But to no avail.”
(Requests have already been received for) more than 500 foreign-made aircraft (refund). “, – Savelyev added.
According to the Russian official, the situation is already in danger of defaulting to either Russian airlines or banks.
“The second part is letters of credit. This is about 200 billion rubles for all airlines, because our banks – more than 20 banks – have issued letters of credit against foreign banks, guaranteeing these payments. Now these letters of credit are open and the default of airlines March, we hope to find a solution by this time (…), this default will give a cross-default on our banks. Therefore, either the banks suffer or the airlines, because the banks are making claims, “- added Savelyev.
It will be recalled that on February 26, the European Union imposed sanctions banning the supply of civil aircraft and spare parts to Russia, as well as their maintenance and insurance.
In addition, the sanctions oblige lessors to terminate existing contracts with Russian airlines by March 28.
In total in the Russian Federation now about 1,3 thousand. aircraft, previously reported in the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.
Since the beginning of the war , Russia has lost 78 of the 1,367 civilian aircraft that were arrested abroad at the request of lessors.
Earlier , Russia also warned that in the event of a shortage in the domestic market will steal products without the permission of copyright holders.
In particular, the Russian Federation has already begun to steal lessors' planes and launch them into the sky without a certificate of airworthiness.
