RuAviation

On the margins of the Innoprom international exhibition in Ekaterinburg, Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, told journalists about the ongoing discussions on amending Aeroflot’s contract for the supply of Tu-214 and SJ-100 aircraft. The ministry considers it advisable to amend the contract, as the MS-21 aircraft is expected to overlap the capabilities of the Superjet and cover the airline’s needs.

In June, Aeroflot’s head Sergei Alexandrovsky said that under an earlier contract with UAC, the company plans to abandon the purchase of 40 Tu-214 and 89 SJ-100 aircraft and replace them with MS-21s. Earlier the group signed a framework contract for 339 Russian aircraft, of which a firm contract was signed for 52 machines.

Anton Alikhanov noted that the issue of amending the contract requires discussion and agreement with Aeroflot. The Ministry of Industry and Trade understands the position of the air carrier, which takes into account the current technological and economic parameters. The Minister emphasised that despite the importance of import substitution and certification of the SJ-100, much depends on the end user and continuing negotiations with them is a necessary step.

Alikhanov added that while the talks are at a preliminary stage, specific decisions on changes to the contract have not yet been made. The Ministry will continue dialogue with Aeroflot in order to find an optimal solution that will take into account the needs of the airline and the capabilities of the new MS-21 aircraft.

Alikhanov also noted the need to create Russian long-haul aircraft. According to him, Russia needs its own aircraft for long-haul transportations, which would fully cover the current needs. The Il-96 family is seen as a base for the development of such an aircraft, which, after the necessary modernisation, will be able to effectively perform the function of a long-haul airliner.

“We need a long-haul aircraft one hundred per cent, because these 15 per cent of traffic, a little more, which are not covered by the Superjet and MS-21, must be covered by our aircraft. Therefore, the IL family in one of the possible configurations will take over this function, taking into account the required modifications. And undoubtedly, this is the aircraft we should rely on. I am sure that we will complete this work,” he said.