Aeroflot has warned of a significant upcoming increase in airfares in Russia. In the first half of 2025, the company’s average fares have already risen by 6%, but this is just the beginning—prices are expected to jump even higher in the future.
The increase is attributed to rapidly rising costs for aircraft and passenger services. On top of that, the technical condition of planes is deteriorating: due to shortages of spare parts and maintenance under sanctions, the number of malfunctions—and emergency landings—is growing. This threatens not only passenger comfort but also flight safety in Russia.
A pressing issue is the rising share of airport fees, which on some routes already accounts for 30% of the ticket price. To cover these costs, Russian airlines are introducing an additional “infrastructure fee,” which ultimately falls on passengers.
Aeroflot’s CEO openly admitted that it is impossible to pass all costs onto carriers, and there are no alternative revenue sources. “All of this could lead to a very significant increase in ticket prices,” he stated.
Despite claims that sanctions do not affect the sector, Russia’s aviation industry is feeling them strongly. Restrictions on access to modern aircraft, spare parts, and maintenance services are intensifying the crisis. In the end, passengers become the primary victims, paying for the industry’s rising costs out of their own pockets.
