Russian airline Aeroflot is reportedly exploring the possibility of using 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCFs) for passenger aircraft parts.
Aeroflot is in talks with Volga-Dnepr Group over the possibility of acquiring five 737-800BCFs that are currently part of Volga-Dnepr-owned Atran Airlines' fleet, according to Russian publication Kommersant.
The aircraft may be needed for Aeroflot subsidiary and low cost airline Pobeda, according to the publication. But according to Kommersant's sources, converting Atrana's aircraft into passenger aircraft under sanctions would be too difficult and expensive.
Instead, Aeroflot is primarily interested in engines, landing gear, avionics, and other components, said the sources.
There is limited information available regarding potential supply chain shortages in Russia, but given the country has been engaged in conflict with Ukraine since February 2022 and has since faced many sanctions from various countries and the European Union (EU), it doesn't come as a surprise that it may face a shortage of aircraft parts.
The 737-800Fs concerned are owned by Ireland-based lessor AerCap, with whom Aeroflot intends to conclude an insurance settlement deal.
Atran was the first Russian operator of 737-800BCFs. The airline has six 737-800BCFs in total, as well as three Boeing 737-400SFs. None of the aircraft have flown since March 2022, although the company does currently fly one An-12BP.
Another of Volga-Dnepr's subsidiaries, AirBridgeCargo (ABC), allegedly had its air operator certificate (AOC) suspended by Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency last month.
Before the certificate was suspended, the document listed one Boeing-777 and 14 Boeing-747, two of which ABC returned to BOC Aviation (China) in the spring of this year.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines is understood by Air Cargo News to be only carrying out limited operations due to restrictions on airspace imposed by sanctions from various governments worldwide, but its AOC still includes four An-124-100 and five Il-76.
At the end of last year, Volga-Dnepr Airlines filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government over the seizure of one of its Antonov AN-124 freighter aircraft that was stranded at Toronto Pearson Airport in 2022.
https://www.aircargonews.net/1066712.article
https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/volga-dnepr-group-ownership-transferred-to-management/
