Yakovlev’s first serial MC-21-310 takes flight in Irkutsk, marking progress in Russia’s narrowbody program with deliveries to Aeroflot starting in 2027.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian aerospace has had no access to Western equipment. Replacing it will continue to hamper manufacturers and airlines for years.
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.
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.
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.