The government and Rostec are discussing a new fee from air passengers to support the domestic aviation industry
The introduction of a fee of up to two thousand rubles per ticket to subsidize the leasing and operation of new Russian aircraft is being considered.
Quick Look
The government and Rostec are discussing the introduction of a new fee for air passengers ranging from 500 to 2,000 rubles to support the leasing and operation of new Russian aircraft.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The government is seeking funding sources to support the production and operation of Russian civil aircraft.
The government and Rostec are discussing the possibility of introducing a new fee for air passengers to support the leasing and operation of new Russian aircraft, which are planned to be supplied to airlines in the future. The size of the fee is still being discussed; the idea itself is at the initial development stage. Kommersant reports this with reference to sources familiar with the initiative.
One of them indicated that from domestic flights they can collect 500 rubles per ticket, and from international flights - a thousand rubles, another finds the amounts to be 700 and two thousand rubles, respectively. Thus, if we take into account data on passenger traffic for 2025, the fee could bring from 68 to 84.5 billion rubles.
The Ministry of Transport has been previously appointed as the payment operator. He will redirect the collected funds to leasing companies to cover the difference between the cost of aircraft and the preferential price for their delivery to carriers, as well as to the airlines themselves to compensate for the high cost of operating domestic airliners.
Back in July 2026, the government approved the allocation of 115 billion rubles from the National Welfare Fund (NWF) for preferential leasing for domestic aircraft, and additional funds will help improve conditions.
A source close to the Ministry of Transport clarified that the aviation industry is expected to reduce the cost of aircraft production several times, to a level comparable to foreign competitors, after 2030. Then, as expected, their shortcomings will be eliminated and mass production and export deliveries will begin.
At the same time, one of the publication’s interlocutors emphasizes that the fee may be abandoned in favor of other support mechanisms. Experts warn that rising ticket prices are fraught with a drop in passenger traffic and a worsening situation for carriers, so perhaps direct support from the budget would be the best solution.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Acceptance or rejection of the collection mechanism in favor of budget subsidies
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What will be the exact fee?
- Will a decision be made to introduce a fee instead of budget funding?
