The partial mobilization in Russia has major consequences for Russian airlines. Hundreds of Aeroflot, Utair and S7 employees have already received calls. Staff shortages are looming for both airlines and air traffic control, with all the consequences that entails.

The Russian medium Kommersant reports that employees of at least five airlines and ten airports have received calls to fight at the front. According to insiders, possibly 50 to 80 percent of the male Aeroflot Group personnel will be mobilized.

Pilots in particular are affected by the mobilization order. Some of them are also reservists with the army and have been trained in military flight schools and are therefore eligible for an invitation. In addition, IT specialists and maintenance personnel have also received invitations. The latter are again very important to keep the fleet in the air.

Meanwhile, airlines are trying to ask the state for an exception for the mobilization of airline personnel. Whether this dispensation will actually be granted remains to be seen.

The Russian army has lost a lot of ground in Ukraine in recent weeks. That is why President Putin has decided to partially mobilize, by calling on reservists. According to the Kremlin, 300,000 reservists will be called up, but according to independent Russian media that number would be closer to a million.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)