cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21438927

Facing a shortage of planes due to Western sanctions, Russia is in talks with some Central Asian countries for their airlines to run domestic flights and help meet a pick up in travel demand.

Russian airlines, which use many Western aircraft delivered before the war in Ukraine, are struggling to meet growing demand for air travel as sanctions hinder access to parts and domestic production takes time to ramp up.

Transport Minister Roman Starovoit said last week Russia was in talks with so-called “friendly” countries, including Kazakhstan, about foreign airlines operating domestic flights, Russian news agencies reported.

Russia has also approached Uzbekistan, which is considering the proposal, an Uzbek government source told Reuters.