16-18 March 2027Crocus Expo, Pavilion 3
Hub development, the impact of sanctions, and future realities for business—we discuss all of this in this article.
According to BusinesStat, air freight turnover in Russia increased by 11.4% in 2024, reaching 1.9 billion tonne-km. According to AeroBaltService, the market continues to actively adapt to the changed geopolitical and economic conditions in 2025. Following the departure of some foreign carriers and the introduction of restrictions on leasing and insurance, the focus has shifted to developing domestic logistics and cooperation with friendly countries. The most significant routes remain to China, India, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Sanction restrictions have become an incentive for developing domestic infrastructure. While Moscow airports previously handled the bulk of cargo traffic, increasingly significant cargo operations are now concentrated in Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, and Vladivostok, which are undergoing active modernization. Regional airports are expanding their storage capacity, building new terminals, and strengthening their position as alternatives to overcrowded Moscow hubs. Decentralization makes the system less vulnerable and improves cargo distribution speeds, according to AeroBaltService. At the same time, major hubs are also being modernized: Zhukovsky is developing one of the largest cargo terminals in Europe, Ulyanovsk-Vostochny is focusing on handling heavy aircraft, and Vladivostok is strengthening its routes to China and Korea.
The reorientation of international routes is a consequence of the restrictions on flights to Europe. In 2025, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America will become key destinations for Russian carriers. Sustainable land-air corridors are being established through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. Türkiye is an important transit hub for access to African and Southern European markets.
Sanctions pressure from 2022 to 2025 led to restrictions on the supply of original spare parts and the withdrawal of Western leasing companies, which increased maintenance costs and scheduled repair times. The introduction of accelerated certification for non-original components has partially stabilized the situation, but has required investments in testing facilities and personnel training. Import substitution programs have increased the share of Russian-made aircraft in the cargo fleet to 18% by the end of 2024, and this is expected to increase to 35% by 2027. These figures are cited by AeroBaltService.
According to Egor Tarasov, founder of ROKOTT Trans, the rapid growth of e-commerce is becoming the most important factor in the development of the air cargo market. Major marketplaces are developing their own charter programs: Wildberries connects China with Vladivostok and Kazan, and Ozon operates routes via Dubai and Zhukovsky. This significantly increases cargo volumes and strengthens demand for fast air solutions.
Government support also plays a key role in transforming the logistics industry. AeroBaltService notes that the state subsidizes infrastructure projects, reduces duties on components, simplifies customs procedures, and develops digital platforms. Particular attention is being paid to developing the country's aviation industry: priority projects include the Il-96-400T, the cargo version of the MS-21, and joint developments with Chinese and Iranian partners.
Furthermore, there is growing demand for international transportation of specialized cargo—pharmaceuticals, microelectronics, and other highly sensitive equipment—where aviation remains an indispensable mode of transport, according to Tarasov.
The expert also notes that carriers are adapting to the new reality by expanding their range of domestically produced components and widely implementing digital technologies. Electronic air waybills and modern cargo tracking systems create process transparency and improve customer convenience. The financial environment is also changing. According to the founder of ROKOTT Trans, given SWIFT and SEPA restrictions, carriers are increasingly using payments through payment agents, and cryptocurrency instruments, particularly stablecoins, are becoming a popular way to expedite international payments.
According to BusinesStat estimates, Russian air freight turnover will continue to gradually recover between 2025 and 2029, by 4-7% annually. In 2029, air freight turnover in Russia could reach 2.5 billion tonne-km—31% higher than the 2024 figure. Olga Mironova, Head of Air Freight Sales at ATC GLOBAL LOGISTICS, also shared her forecast for the future during her presentation at the TransRussia Summit . She believes that passenger hubs are increasingly transforming into full-fledged cargo centers, and capacity is expanding in China, Southeast Asia, and Russia.
The development of combined routes is expected, with tourist flights being used for commercial cargo (notably, approximately 70% of all cargo is currently carried on passenger flights). Furthermore, the industry will continue to digitalize, with an emphasis on end-to-end door-to-door cargo tracking, the implementation of electronic documentation, and automation. Seasonal optimization will be a significant efficiency factor—maximizing resource utilization during peak seasons and modernizing infrastructure during slow periods. Finally, geographic expansion of transportation is predicted: new routes will open and additional transit hubs will emerge, the speaker concluded.
2025 has become a period of adaptation for Russian aviation logistics. The industry is growing thanks to new routes, the modernization of regional hubs, the active implementation of digital technologies, and the development of the domestic aviation industry. Companies operating in the air cargo sector require reliable partnerships and modern technologies to effectively adapt to market changes.
The TransRussia | SkladTech exhibition features a separate section, "Air Cargo Carriers," featuring:
// Airlines
// Airports and terminals
// Other freight agents
According to a visitor survey, 8,478 professionals were interested specifically in air cargo transportation. Overall, the 2025 exhibition was attended by over 30,400 professionals from 84 regions of Russia and 46 countries. Ninety-five percent of all visitors influence purchasing decisions.
FIND OUT THE TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
