Irkut MC-21

Russian aircraft maker Yakovlev has reshuffled its engineering teams as it works to certify its MC-21 narrowbody after multiple delays.

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

The import-free variant of Russia’s MC-21 narrowbody airliner cannot operate at its designed range after the installation of heavier locally made components.

Russian LCC Smartavia has become the first privately owned airline to order the MC-21-310 narrowbody airliner.

The green aircraft carrying serial number MSN97001 headed west after completing flight-testing with manufacturer UAC that began in August 2023.

The first flight of the new import-substituted version of Russia’s MC-21 narrowbody airliner will take place by June 30, according to the CEO of Yakovlev.

Russian officials are sounding ever more cautious about when the country’s new Yakovlev MC-21 narrowbody passenger airliner will enter service.

Two years into its full-scale war with Ukraine, Russia’s airlines face increasing constraints in operating Western-made aircraft.

The first operators of Russia’s new Yakovlev MC-21 airliner were always set to face teething problems given the immaturity of the narrowbody’s PD-14 turbofan.

United Engine Corporation has completed another round of bench tests on the PD-35 core engine which is set to become Russia’s largest turbofan.

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

Western sanctions are having an increasingly painful impact on Russia’s current and future commercial aircraft programs.

The Russian government continues to pour money into the local industry to support production of commercial aircraft.

Russia’s international traffic has dropped due to Western sanctions, but demand for domestic flying remains intact, bolstered by government subsidies.

The Tu-214 made its first flight in 1996 and is the last produced derivative of the Tu-204 baseline model, which made its first flight in 1989.

After sanctions, Moscow expects that 270 MC-21-310 will be assembled by 2030.

Western sanctions tanked Irkut's plan to produce the baseline PW1400G-powered MC-21.

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.