AirBridgeCargo's fleet remains grounded due to sanctions and crew shortages, despite the Volga Dnepr sale, according to London's Air Cargo Week.
Despite attention surrounding the Volga Dnepr transaction, the AirBridgeCargo fleet of Boeing 747-8 and 777 freighters remains grounded due to sanctions, certification lapses, crew shortages, and uneconomic domestic demand, reported London's Air Cargo Week.
Former AirBridgeCargo executive Alex Kolbin stated that the aircraft have been idle for almost four years, with pilots and personnel gone and maintenance not meeting pre-war standards. He noted that operating them in Russia is not feasible, with cannibalization for parts or limited use in friendly jurisdictions being the most likely outcomes.
Mr. Kolbin added that ownership changes do not eliminate BIS or OFAC restrictions. Any export, maintenance, or international operation would require US and European licenses, meaning the deal reduces legal risk rather than restoring operational capability.
The aircraft are viewed as geopolitical assets subject to sanctions, litigation, and potential use in political settlements. Mr. Kolbin mentioned that they could serve as leverage in negotiations, possibly involving American or Chinese carriers, but only if the geopolitical landscape shifts.
Legal disputes add further uncertainty. The heirs of a former Atran shareholder have challenged its sale, potentially blocking aircraft transfers to Aeroflot. Mr. Kolbin indicated that opaque ownership structures and litigation could stall action well into next year.
Possible scenarios include cannibalization for parts, sales to friendly jurisdictions, or eventual use in political agreements. Mr. Kolbin stressed that, absent a major political shift, limited regional transfers are the most realistic outcome. He emphasized that the aircraft are as much geopolitical tools as they are commercial assets.
Mr. Kolbin, now a UK-based geopolitical and aviation consultant, stated that the focus is on asset management and risk mitigation rather than commercial revival. He concluded that until regulatory and political barriers change, the planes remain stuck in a narrow set of possibilities.





