MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Aeroflot, Russia's largest airline, has sent one of its Airbus planes to Iran for repair due to the impact of Western sanctions on its aircraft maintenance capabilities, the company announced on Tuesday. According to flight tracking site FlighAware, the Airbus A330-300 flew to Tehran on April 5 and remains there.


Aeroflot stated that a provider would carry out a wide range of work on the Airbus A330 aircraft in Iran. The RBC media outlet first reported on the maintenance in Iran. The airline noted that the firm has all the necessary resources, certificates, and extensive experience, and that the provider performs maintenance to a high standard. Aeroflot declined to provide further details or name the operator responsible for the repair.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February of last year, sanctions imposed on the country have hindered its airlines from acquiring aircraft, spare parts, or undergoing maintenance in the West. While Russian airlines continue to operate Western jets, they face challenges in importing replacement parts.