Aeroflot plans major expansion with order for additional Russian-built Yakovlev MC‑21 jets

Sergey Aleksandrovsky, CEO of Aeroflot Group, addressed reporters at the Eastern Economic Forum regarding further orders: "We have already signed a firm contract for the first 18 aircraft. We are discussing the terms of the next contract for 90 aircraft. We would like to complete this discussion and sign firm contracts by the end of the year. The main factor in this increase is the supply of domestic aircraft.”

Following Western sanctions after February 2022, Russia's aviation sector has faced difficulties sourcing foreign-made planes and critical components. Both Sukhoi Superjet and Yakovlev MC-21 were initially built using Western engines and avionics but have shifted toward fully localized production due to embargoes.

The original MC-21 relied on Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines and Honeywell auxiliary power units (APUs). Sanctions accelerated efforts to replace these with Russian alternatives after access was cut off from American and European suppliers. The all-Russian version of the MC-21 completed its first test flight in April 2025.

Similarly, Sukhoi Superjet previously used several Western-made components but now features Russian replacements following sanctions—resulting in what is called the "Superjet-New," powered by PD-8 engines made in Russia.

Neither the Russified Sukhoi Superjet nor MC-21 has yet received certification from Russia’s civil aviation regulator. Rostec reports that over twenty MC-21 jets are currently under construction at various stages at their factory, with deliveries expected to begin in summer 2026.

The MC-21 family includes three variants:

– The standard MC-21-300 (with P&W engines) can carry up to 211 passengers over a range of up to approximately 6,000 km.

– The shorter MC-21-200 (also with P&W engines) seats up to 165 passengers over roughly 6,400 km.

– The new all-Russian MC-21-310 uses PD-14 engines developed domestically; it also seats up to 211 passengers but offers a reduced range due to increased weight from local components—up to 5,100 km.

The Yakovlev Corporation manufactures these jets within United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), while production takes place at Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

Aeroflot was founded in 1923 and operates out of Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport as a full-service carrier.