Aeroflot plans to keep most of its Western narrowbody fleet in service well into the next decade, with Boeing 737s and Airbus A320/A321s expected to remain flying in 2030 and 2035. The outlook came from investor-relations director Andrey Napolnov during a Sberbank business webinar in Moscow, reflecting the carrier’s reliance on existing aircraft amid the shortage of domestic replacements.
The fleet-retention strategy covers aircraft that remain central to Aeroflot Group’s short- and medium-haul network. Napolnov indicated that the airline believes it can continue maintaining the jets even without manufacturer support, extending their use as long as they remain technically viable. The comments suggest a slower transition away from Western aircraft than previously expected.
The forecast is significant for maintenance planning, capacity management and the timing of Aeroflot’s move towards Russian-built alternatives. It also underlines the challenge facing Russian airlines as new domestic programmes continue to lag behind operational demand, leaving incumbent fleets to carry traffic for longer than originally planned.