Aeroflot A321 remains parked at Geneva four and a half years after airspace closures

An Airbus A321 belonging to Aeroflot has been parked at Geneva Airport for about four and a half years. The aircraft, registered VP-BOE, has stood there since 27 February 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It had arrived from Moscow early that afternoon and was due to fly back as SU2385 at around 16:00. German airspace was already closed to Russian aircraft. Alternative routings over France, Italy, Greece and Turkey were considered, but as the A321 taxied toward the runway Italy also closed its airspace. The aircraft turned back, passengers disembarked, and it has not left since.

The jet has been moved once. In June 2022 it had to vacate stand P48 because the Swiss Air Force needed the apron for a United Nations conference. It was relocated to its current position, north-west of and north of the terminal. Access and movement require official permission.

Le Temps reports that nothing inside has changed since the planned departure. The tanks remain full, a detail described as surprising, and meals served on the flight are said to still be on board, giving the cabin a smell of spoiled food. Rodent infestation is also considered possible. Geneva Airport is used to long-parked aircraft: a jet belonging to the Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat stood on a long-term parking position on the airport's north-east side for 14 years.

What will happen to the A321 is unclear.