Russia’s Domestic and International Air Freight Volumes Show Signs Of Recovery

The volume of air freight transported overseas by Russian airlines in H1 2024 amounted to 63,400 tonnes, 3% more than in the same period of 2023, according to statistics from the Federal Air Transport Agency.

To compare, in the first 6 months of 2022, which saw international air cargo at 196,000 tonnes meaning that slow growth is now starting to emerge after the initial shock of sanctions.

In the same January-June 2024 period, Russia’s airlines increased domestic cargo volumes by 2.8% at 153,600 tonnes. That followed an increase of +7% in 2023.

In January-June 2023, cargo turnover had collapsed by 57.3% over 2020, following the introduction of Western sanctions against Russia. Russian airlines faced a ban on flights to the United States, Europe and a number of other unfriendly countries, as well as the risks of arresting Russian aircraft in unfriendly states.

The trend points to gradual further recovery, as Russia continues to develop new trade partners and establish new trade routes, some of which will require servicing by air despite the additional costs. These include items such as live seafood and other perishable consumer items. However, Russia’s previous air freight volumes with the West have been largely replaced by increased shipping volumes with the East.