RuAviation

A year ago, Sergei Chemezov, the CEO of Rostec State Corporation, mentioned in the wings of the Russian Federation President’s annual address to the Federal Assembly that deliveries of the MC-21 to airlines wouldn’t be happening before the end of 2024. He said commercial service shouldn’t be expected any earlier than 2025, “or even perhaps 2026”. The reason for the delay, he explained, was ongoing flight testing, and he raised concerns about passenger safety, stressing the need for full certification prior to commencing series production.

In February 2025, Anton Alikhanov, the Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, confirmed that in accordance with the Comprehensive Aviation Industry Development Programme, the Ministry is still planning to begin series deliveries of MC-21 aircraft in 2026. Deliveries of Tu-214 aircraft to customers are expected this year. The main priority at the moment is commencing flight trials of the imported component-substituted MC-21-310 variants, with timelines being finalised jointly with senior management at the United Aircraft Corporation.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and PJSC Yakovlev have signed a contract for R&D work aimed at expanding the MC-21-310’s type certificate. The total value of the work, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, is 21.7 billion roubles. Funding is divided into three phases, each with clear deadlines and funding allocations.

The first phase, running until December 2025, will receive 9.9 billion roubles. The second phase, scheduled from November 2025 to December 2026, will receive 6.9 billion roubles. The final phase, starting in November 2026 and ending in December 2027, will be funded to the tune of 4.8 billion roubles. The specific objectives to be achieved within each phase aren’t detailed in the published documentation.

According to Andrei Velichko, Editor-in-Chief of the “Aviation of Russia” website, the new contract is aimed at further enhancing the capabilities of the MC-21 and may include expanding operational performance or introducing additional systems and equipment. The total funding suggests that this is a suite of upgrades aimed at increasing the aircraft’s competitiveness against A&B’s airliners.

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Perm-based enterprise ODK-Aviadvigatel has received Main Change Approval (MCA) from Rosaviatsiya for the PD-14 engine type design. This change allows the engine to operate at temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, removing restrictions on its use in icing conditions.

The approval confirms that the engine meets the requirements of the Certification Basis established by Part 33 of the Aviation Rules. Previous tests have demonstrated the stable operation of the PD-14 at extremely low temperatures, which is particularly important for operation in northern regions. ODK Chief Designer Yuri Shmotin noted that lifting the restrictions expands the aircraft’s geographical operating envelope and is relevant to airlines operating in regions with harsh climates.

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On 21 February 2025, ODK shipped a batch of production PD-14 aircraft engines to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant for installation on production MC-21-310 aircraft. Hollow titanium fan blades were developed for the PD-14 as part of the implementation of 16 critical technologies in the engine’s development process. At present, aircraft manufacturers and engine manufacturers are working to complete the certification tests of the imported component-substituted MC-21 by the end of this year, while simultaneously manufacturing the aircraft’s airframes, power plants and avionics.

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First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov stated that Russian airlines will prioritise domestic aircraft even when deliveries of foreign aircraft resume. The government intends to create a system whereby airlines will primarily acquire certified Russian airliners. Manturov stressed that a simple return of foreign manufactu

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rers to the Russian market, as happened with their withdrawal in 2022, is no longer possible. The authorities will carefully consider each case of foreign companies returning, to ensure the stable development of the Russian aviation industry and its independence from geopolitical events.

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Ozone converters developed by chemists at Tomsk State University have passed certification tests and been delivered to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant for installation on civil airliners. The devices, manufactured at the Engineering Chemical Technology Centre (ECTC) site, are part of the aircraft’s air supply system. During 2024, the converters passed all the necessary tests and received the O 1 designation, confirming their readiness for use in both foreign and domestic passenger aircraft.

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ODK has introduced a new IT platform for the after-sales support of PD-14, PD-8 and TV7-117ST-01/02 aero engines. The system provides operators with access to up-to-date technical documentation and allows them to track data on the use of power plants at all stages of their lifecycle. The platform has undergone operational trials at ODK-Aviadvigatel, ODK-Perm Motors, ODK-Saturn and ODK-Klimov. The system consists of several modules that automate service processes. This solution is aimed at improving the efficiency of service support and the reliable operation of Russian-made aircraft.

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In February, the MC-21 prototypes didn’t carry out any flight operations, neither in Irkutsk nor in Zhukovsky. In Zhukovsky, specialists from Yakovlev Flight Test and Development Centre, together with the Gromov Flight Research Institute, are conducting ground tests on the MC-21 for lightning protection. Aircraft 73051 is being used for this purpose. In Irkutsk, aircraft 73055 is awaiting a decision on the start of factory refinement tests.

The prototype aircraft with tail number 73057 at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant has been powered up. The process of checking the functionality of the systems under electrical load has commenced. Work on powering up the airliner began immediately after the New Year holidays. At present, the first phase – a comprehensive check of the aircraft’s electrical power system – is almost complete. According to the design documentation, all aircraft systems will then be checked under power: radio communication equipment, hydraulics, the integrated management system and others.