Russia’s MC-21 Airliner Delayed Again, Serial Production Set for 2026
Russia’s MC-21 airliner will not enter serial production until at least 2026, according to Sergei Chemezov, the head of Rostec, Russia’s aerospace and defense conglomerate, who confirmed the delay on January 24, 2025. This announcement marks the latest in a series of setbacks for the MC-21, which has experienced repeated delays since its first test flight in 2017. Initially slated for completion in 2019, the aircraft has seen its entry into service continually postponed.
The delays have been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions have forced Rostec to replace key components with domestically produced parts, disrupting the original supply chain and further delaying the project. Additionally, the switch to a domestically produced PD-14 engine, which is now the sole engine option for the MC-21, has added another layer of complexity to the aircraft’s production timeline.
These challenges have extended the MC-21 flight testing program, which is still ongoing as of January 2025. According to Russian news agency Tass, Chemezov revealed that several more flights are required for the aircraft’s certification throughout 2025, pushing the aircraft’s commercial launch even further into the future.
The Russian government is also advancing the development of a shorter version of the MC-21, which will be called the MC-21-210. This variant is expected to accommodate 160 to 170 passengers, catering to different market segments than the standard MC-21, which is designed for 170 to 210 passengers.
While the MC-21 holds promise as Russia’s answer to Western narrow-body airliners, such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, the ongoing delays and production hurdles have significantly hindered its progress. The aircraft’s delayed entry into the market underscores the challenges faced by Russia’s aerospace industry, especially amid international sanctions and the need for domestic manufacturing solutions.
The MC-21’s development is a crucial element of Russia’s broader push to reduce its reliance on Western-made aviation technologies and establish its own competitive aerospace sector. However, these continued delays indicate the significant challenges in achieving this goal within the expected timelines. With 2026 now the target for the aircraft’s entry into serial production, aviation enthusiasts and industry experts will continue to closely monitor any further developments in the project’s production and certification processes.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=MC-21, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/aircraft-finance/