Leased Aircraft Serving International Routes to Russia

There is a common misconception that international sanctions prohibit airlines from operating leased aircraft into Russia. This is categorically false, although many lessors may deny or restrict the usage of their aircraft into Russia.

ExPlane analysed the ownership status of all 488 commercial passenger aircraft MSNs that operated the 7’360 international scheduled flights to/from Russia on behalf of 31 non-Russian airlines in the month of November. Only international carriers which had at least one leased aircraft were considered.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:
- 29% of all investigated flights operated with leased aircraft;
- 170 aircraft belonging to 40 lessors were spotted operating into Russian airports;
- Lessors owned by Chinese equity dominated the ranking, with 55% of all aircraft MSNs belonging to such;
- SMBC Aviation Capital, owned by a Japanese consortium, had the most MSNs flying in/out of Russia. Despite the lessor’s scale, this finding is surprising as Japanese entities are renowned for their conservatism. Seven other Japanese-owned lessors also had their aircraft operate into Russia.
- Some of the largest lessors, including AerCap & Aviation Capital Group (ACG), had no aircraft flying into Russia, implying that they still impose restrictions.
- Larger flag carriers, including TK, EK, EY, QR, MS & AT, primarily operated owned aircraft. This was enabled by a large contingent of owned aircraft.
- Four airlines (HH, J9, JD & RJ) exclusively operated leased aircraft into Russia. These airlines operate a fleet with a very high contingent of leased aircraft.

Whilst some lessors continue to impose restrictions on lessees - be it due to fear of reputational damage or insufficient comfort in the ‘enhanced’ insurance products available - the analysis does indicate that a sizeable contingent of lessors (albeit at a scale of ‘only’ 170 aircraft) allow customers to operate their aircraft into Russia. This, of course, assumes that airlines operate their aircraft in line with contractual obligations…