Maksim covers aerospace developments in Central Asia for Aviation Week. He has worked for Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine and was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications after working for the Moscow-based CAST defense think tank.
Maksim has a degree in international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow.
Delays in development are likely to put the Russian aircraft as the last of the new-generation aircraft in its segment, which will likely limit its market.
The basic version of the aircraft will carry 280 passengers over 12,000 km (7,500 mi.), making it somewhat comparable to the Airbus A330-900, but with a wider body suiting nine-abreast economy seating.
