Yakovlev MC-21

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Western sanctions have impeded Russia’s participation in the widebody program, but China plans to pursue it alone.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency issued a MC-21-30 type certificate Dec. 28, keeping a government promise to certify it in 2021.

Rossiya hopes to deploy the narrowbody in summer 2022 after receiving assurances from airframer Irkut regarding the delivery schedule for the aircraft.

Sergei Chemezov, Rostec CEO, will personally lead the consolidation process after appointing himself to lead the UAC Board of Directors, Rostec announced on March 18.

Rossiya Airlines plans to hire 400 pilots in 2021 and another 200 in 2022 to support the expansion of its fleet with Russian-made regional aircraft.

A prototype of Russia’s new Irkut MC-21-300 narrowbody passenger aircraft skidded off the runway at Zhukovsky Airport near Moscow on Jan. 18.

An Irkut MC-21-300 narrowbody powered by Russian PD-14 turbofan engines made its first flight from Irkutsk, Russia, on the morning of Dec. 15.

Irkut Corporation rolled out the first MC-21 prototype powered by Russian PD-14 turbofan engines in Irkutsk, Siberia, on Nov. 6, parent United Aircraft Corporation reported Nov. 10.

Russia’s new Irkut MC-21 commercial narrowbody continues to face certification delays.

The Russian government plans to save United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) after the country’s only aircraft manufacturer almost doubled its net loss in 2019.

MOSCOW—A Russian government official has confirmed that COVID-19 restrictions have delayed the certification of the country’s new Irkut MC-21 narrowbody commercial airliner.

MOSCOW—Irkut Corporation has resumed the flight trials of its new MC-21 narrowbody aircraft in Zhukovsky, near Moscow. The flights were suspended on