Analysis of the aircraft fleet of the Russian Federation leading airlines: trends and prospects of the development in the context of macroeconomic instability

Abstract

Purpose: the fundamental basis of the research is the analysis of the fleet of Russian airlines in order to determine the content of the passenger airliner market. An important element is to determine the structure of key manufacturers and determine the market share of Russian aircraft manufacturers. Discussion: in the context of macroeconomic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines show a significant decrease in passenger traffic, ranging from 45% to 95% (based on the results of indicators for may 2020). The crisis situation of airlines will have a significant negative impact on the market of passenger Airliners. In conditions of macroeconomic instability, domestic manufacturers of SSJ-100 and MS-21 Airliners have every reason to strengthen their positions on the national market of passenger Airliners, due to the lower cost compared to leading foreign analogues, ease of maintenance and reduction of financial risks caused by exchange rate differences. Results: the result of the research is the identification of the main principles of the Russian passenger airliner market. The average age of the fleet of the 15 largest airlines is about 15 years. Only 2 national airlines, Aeroflot and Pobeda, demonstrate the average age of the fleet up to 10 years. The air fleet of a significant number of national airlines is extremely old, which determines the market need to put a new aircraft into operation. In the implementation of effective measures of state support for Russian aviation manufacturers unable to compete with Western aircraft manufacturing corporations in the context of macroeconomic instability.