Russia's Aeroflot sends aircraft for repair to Iran

Russian airlines continue to operate Western jets but struggle to import replacement parts for maintenance

A police vehicle drives behind an Airbus A321-211 aircraft of Russian airline Aeroflot with registration VP-BOE on a long term parking at Cointrin airport in Geneva, Switzerland, Mar 9, 2022.

Russia'slargest air carrierAeroflot, whoseaircraftmaintenance capabilities are crippled by Western sanctions, sent one of its Airbusplanes toIranforrepair, the company saidon Tuesday.

According to the flight tracking system Flightradar24 the Airbus A330-300 flew to Tehran on Apr 5 and remains there until now.

"The maintenance of the Airbus A330aircraft(inIran) will be implemented by a provider for a wide range of work,"Aeroflotsaid in a statement.

RBC media outlet first reported about the maintenance inIran.

"The firm has all the necessary material resources, certificates and extensive experience, (while) the provider performs maintenance with a high quality level," the airline said.

Aeroflotdeclined to comment on details and did not name the operator that will carry out therepair.

Sanctions imposed on Russia after it sent its troops into Ukraine in February last year have prevented its airlines from obtainingaircraftand spare parts or undergoing maintenance in the West. Russian airlines continue to operate Western jets, but struggle to import replacement parts.