Russia's state-owned airline Aeroflot has warned of a further significant rise in the cost of air travel. Average fares have already increased by 6% in the first half of 2025, yet this is described only as the beginning of much steeper hikes to come.

Source: a report from Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service

Details: The report states that soaring costs associated with aircraft and passenger servicing are driving prices up.

Quote: "A deepening crisis in maintenance is also highlighted: a lack of spare parts and servicing caused by sanctions has led to a rise in mechanical failures and emergency landings."

More details: This creates not only inconvenience but mounting threats to flight safety across Russia.

Quote: "One particularly acute issue is the growing share of airport charges, which on some routes have reached 30% of the ticket price."

More details: The increasingly serious issue of the technical condition of aircraft is adding to this: because of a shortage of spare parts and maintenance under sanctions, the number of breakdowns is rising, and with it the number of emergency landings."

More details: To compensate, Russian airlines are imposing an additional "infrastructure fee" that ends up falling on passengers.

Aeroflot's chief executive has conceded that it is impossible to pass all rising expenses onto carriers themselves, and he acknowledged there are no alternative sources of revenue. He said that this may lead to a very significant increase in the cost of flights.

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reports that despite repeated claims from Moscow that sanctions do not work, Russia's aviation sector is struggling.

Restrictions on access to modern aircraft, spare parts and proper servicing are intensifying the crisis.

Quote: "In the end, the main hostages of the situation are passengers, who will be paying for the industry's rising costs out of their own pockets."

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