Giant Order for Russia's Flagship Jet: Aeroflot Signs Landmark MC-21 Deal

Aeroflot has finalized an agreement to procure 90 MC-21 aircraft, with the contract set to be signed shortly with the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Deliveries for this significant order are slated to commence in 2029 and conclude by 2032. The deal encompasses comprehensive technical maintenance and leasing terms, with UAC assuming full responsibility for servicing the fleet. This arrangement shifts the burden of fleet support away from the airline and onto the manufacturer. According to engineer Alexei Tikhonov, assigning maintenance responsibilities to the production facility ensures adherence to operational regulations and facilitates access to genuine spare parts. Fleet Expansion and Existing Commitments In addition to this new order, Aeroflot currently has an existing contract for 18 MC-21 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2028. Two production-standard aircraft are presently undergoing flight testing at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.