Russia is considering introducing an additional charge on airline tickets from 2027, effectively asking air passengers to help finance the country's struggling domestic aircraft manufacturing industry.
According to a report by Russian news agency Interfax, published on October 28, 2026, the proposed surcharge would be 500 rubles (approximately US$6) on domestic flights and 1,000 rubles (approximately US$12) on international flights.
The proposal is outlined in materials from the State Duma's Committee on Budget and Taxes concerning Russia's draft federal budget for 2027–2029. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is developing the financing mechanism following instructions from President Vladimir Putin.
The proposed levy is intended to compensate for the leasing and operating costs of 258 domestically manufactured aircraft, including the MS-21, Tu-214, SJ-100 and Il-114-300. These aircraft form part of Russia's broader programme to replace foreign-made aircraft and rebuild its civilian aviation manufacturing capabilities.
Interfax previously reported in September, citing aviation industry sources, that the surcharge could reach 700 rubles on domestic tickets and 1,800 rubles on international tickets. The higher figures were discussed as part of a financing model agreed upon between industry participants and government authorities, although the final amount has not been established.
Russia approved an ambitious aviation industry development programme in 2023, seeking to dramatically expand domestic aircraft manufacturing and reduce dependence on Western aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.
The programme envisaged supplying more than 1,000 domestically manufactured aircraft to Russian airlines by 2030.
Among its major targets were:
142 SJ-100 (Superjet) aircraft.
270 MS-21 narrowbody aircraft.
70 Il-114-300 regional turboprops.
115 Tu-214 twin-engine aircraft.
However, the programme has encountered significant production, certification and supply-chain difficulties, particularly following Western sanctions and restrictions on access to foreign components and technologies.
The MS-21, which was originally expected to enter serial production much earlier, has experienced repeated delays. In May 2026, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov told President Putin that certification flights were expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, with serial production scheduled to begin thereafter.
The import-substituted SJ-100 and Il-114-300 programmes have also experienced delays, with 2027 emerging as a key target for serial production and deliveries.
There has nevertheless been some progress. In August 2026, the first serial MS-21 equipped with domestically substituted components completed its maiden flight, although certification and customer deliveries remain separate milestones.
Russia is also increasing government spending on its aviation industry.
The proposed 2027 budget allocates 37.3 billion rubles to the state programme for aviation industry development, representing a 35% increase compared with 2026.
The allocation is expected to increase further to 57.7 billion rubles in 2028.
The additional passenger surcharge would provide another financing mechanism to support aircraft leasing and operating expenses, helping make the new Russian aircraft economically viable for domestic airlines.
The proposal comes amid significant pressure on Russia's public finances, with the federal budget facing a substantial deficit.
The proposed aircraft industry levy would not be Russia's first additional charge associated with air travel.
Since September 2025, an infrastructure surcharge of up to 150 rubles per passenger has been introduced to help finance airport construction and reconstruction projects.
If the new aircraft-related surcharge is introduced, passengers could face multiple additional charges incorporated into their ticket prices.
For now, the 500-ruble domestic and 1,000-ruble international figures remain proposed amounts rather than a legally implemented passenger tax.
The government still needs to finalise the collection mechanism, the distribution of funds and the applicable rates.
If implemented, the measure would represent an unusual financing approach: passengers would contribute directly through their airfares towards the development and operation of Russia's next generation of domestically manufactured commercial aircraft.
For an aviation industry attempting to replace thousands of foreign-made aircraft and overcome years of manufacturing delays, the financial challenge is becoming increasingly visible to the travelling public.
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