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Read original →US-Russia Talks in Alaska: Potential Rapprochement in Aviation
Potential outcomes of the Alaska negotiations for the aviation industry: resumption of engine supplies for Boeing and Airbus, US access to the Trans-Siberian route, and prospects for cooperation with American aircraft manufacturers.
AI summary
Negotiations between the US and Russia in Alaska may discuss the resumption of cooperation in the aviation sector. Key topics include the supply and maintenance of engines for Boeing, access for American airlines to the Trans-Siberian route, and possible purchases of new aircraft. Experts assess the prospects cautiously, considering the geopolitical situation and Russia's course toward developing its own aviation industry.
Made in USA, Fly in Russia
Currently, domestic aircraft account for less than 25% of the fleet operated by Russia's largest carriers, with the remainder consisting mainly of Airbus and Boeing planes. And while negotiations with the European supplier clearly won't be happening in Alaska, talks regarding American aviation manufacturers are quite realistic. Especially considering that the number of these aircraft used by Russian airlines as of 2025 (according to industry experts) stands at approximately 200–250 units. Officially, they've been "cut off" from certified maintenance. Therefore, restoring cooperation with at least one of the two key aircraft suppliers could be of interest to Russian authorities.
Telegram channel AviaNews believes that a possible first step toward lifting aviation sanctions could be the resumption of engine supplies to Russia and their maintenance: CFM56 for the A320ceo and Boeing 737NG, which form the backbone of carriers' narrowbody fleets; GE and Rolls-Royce engines for widebody aircraft, for which no replacements are expected in the near term; as well as Pratt & Whitney GTF engines for the A320neo, and the restoration of access to aviation software and databases.
Inside Avia stated that if sanctions are lifted, Russian carriers could begin acquiring new narrowbody Boeing 737s (the -NG and -MAX models), widebody Boeing 777s (latest generations), and Boeing 787s, all of which have proven themselves. And the country has everything necessary to operate them, since the American Boeing 737NG formed the core of Russian carriers' fleets before 2022 and continues to remain so today. Significant spare parts problems during the 2022 to 2025 period were avoided thanks to parallel import schemes.
Negotiating Over Air Routes?
American airlines are interested in the "Trans-Siberian Route"—the shortest aviation path from Europe to Southeast Asia, for which Aeroflot has traditionally collected royalties for overflight rights. Its use by unfriendly airlines has been prohibited since the start of the special military operation, which has impacted both fuel consumption for American aircraft flying from the West Coast (Los Angeles and elsewhere) to Asia and their competitiveness, especially compared to Chinese carriers, who continue to enjoy this advantage. One possible interest for American business could be opening the route and eliminating the royalties.