(MONTREAL, CANADA) – Russia has formally appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to lift aviation-related sanctions imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.
In its submission to ICAO, Russia claimed that restrictions on spare parts, servicing, and overflights violated international aviation standards and human rights. Moscow argued that such measures amount to “unlawful coercion” and hinder the freedom of movement for travellers.
The appeal focuses strongly on aircraft spare parts. A source from the Russian aviation industry told Reuters that Moscow is increasingly concerned about safety risks as its airlines struggle to maintain fleets without access to Western components.
The proposals are part of Russia’s working papers for ICAO’s triennial assembly. In addition to seeking relief from sanctions, Russia is attempting to secure a seat on ICAO’s 36-member governing council. It lost its position in 2022 when member states rejected its candidacy following the invasion of Ukraine.
The documents also denounce the closure of airspace by 37 countries to Russian airlines, along with suspensions of aircraft airworthiness certificates, and bans on technical support and insurance. Russia urged ICAO to prevent member states from enforcing what it called “politically motivated and discriminatory measures.”
Moscow’s lobbying coincides with a limited easing of U.S. sanctions on Belarusian state carrier Belavia. Washington allowed partial exemptions in return for the release of 52 political prisoners. However, restrictions remain in place to prevent U.S. made Boeing aircraft from being used in Russia or in occupied Ukrainian territories.
Analysts note the practical impact may be limited. Elina Ribakova of the Kyiv School of Economics told Politico that monitoring Belarus and Russia’s customs arrangements is nearly impossible. “I see Belarus and Russia as fully cooperating states with fully porous borders,” she said.
Since 2022, Western sanctions have cut Russia off from most foreign aircraft and spare parts. In response, Moscow seized hundreds of leased Boeing and Airbus jets and now relies heavily on parallel import routes through third countries. Russian airlines operate more than 700 Western-made aircraft but continue to face frequent breakdowns and maintenance delays.
The safety concerns are mounting. In July, a Soviet-era Antonov An-24 crashed in Russia’s Far East, killing all 48 people on board, underlining the risks of an aviation sector cut off from international supply chains.
Russia’s appeal to ICAO has exposed its increasing difficulty in sustaining its aviation industry under sanctions, while its bid for re-election to the governing council remains uncertain given ongoing opposition from many member states.
