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The quadjet, once a staple of commercial aviation, has been overshadowed by the rise of twin-engine aircraft. This shift began in earnest with the end of production for iconic models like the Boeing 747 in 2023 and the Airbus A380 in 2021. The primary advantage of twinjets lies in their reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs, thanks to fewer engines.
Despite these trends, there is speculation about a potential revival of quadjets. One possibility stems from Russia's efforts to revitalize its aviation industry following international sanctions due to geopolitical tensions. The Ilyushin IL-96, a Russian widebody aircraft first introduced in 1992, is being considered for renewed production. Although it has four engines and was initially deemed inefficient compared to Western counterparts, Russia sees potential in its original design, which relies less on Western components.
In late 2023, an updated version known as the Ilyushin IL-96-400M completed its maiden flight. This variant features Russian-made engines and avionics and is larger than previous models. However, Russia appears more focused on producing the older IL-96-300 model due to its simpler technology.
