Eurasian Economic Commission extends duty-free imports of certain types of passenger aircraft until 2031

YEREVAN, June 10. /ARKA/. The Executive Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which is the executive arm of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, has extended the duty-free imports of certain types of passenger aircraft, Russian Interfax news agency reported.

According to EEC, the decision applies to imports of turbojet aircraft with passenger capacity from 110 to 300 people until December 31, 2031, and to turboprop airliners with passenger capacity up to 90 people until the end of 2025.

According to EEC Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev, the measure will support aviation sector in the pandemic situation, which makes airlines adjust previously made plans for the purchase of aircraft. He said the exemption will also have a restraining effect on the growth of the cost of transportation for citizens "and will help increase the competitiveness of EEC airlines in the world market."

"Particularly important is the renewal and expansion of the EAU fleet in the context of the emerging external restrictions. Increasing the number of aircraft will have a positive impact on the development of the transit potential of the union," Slepnev was quoted as saying.

European Airbus A320/A330 and American Boeing 737/767 (SPB: BA) are turbojet aircraft with a capacity from 110 to 300 passengers, while turboprop airliners with up to 90 seats are the European ATR 72 and the Canadian Bombardier DHC-8.

This privilege introduced by the Customs Union Commission in 2009 was used by Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Russian air carriers until the imposition of western sanctions in 2022 used to import foreign aircraft in accordance with a 2010 decision on temporary imports.

The government of Kazakhstan repeatedly asked to extend the privilege. In 2023-2031 the Kazakh airlines Air Astana and SCAT will need about 60 new medium-range aircraft with a capacity from 140-150 seats--0--