Russian first deputy PM on MC-21 serial production in 2025: We will do our best to be on schedule

MOSCOW. Dec 10 (Interfax) - The Russian aviation industry is working to start serial production of the MC-21 medium-haul aircraft with import-substituted parts in 2025, as planned, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov told reporters on Tuesday.

"We are doing our best to be on schedule in terms of completing procedures [...]," Manturov said, adding that the aviation industry "is trying" to accomplish the task in due time.

Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said in late November that the MC-21 aircraft with fully import-substituted parts and the Russian-made PD-14 engine was due to perform its first flights in March-April 2025. Previously, the maiden flight was expected before the end of 2024.

The aviation industry's comprehensive development program includes plans for production of civilian aircraft in Russia. Its current edition envisages production of 994 civilian planes before 2030. The program is due to be adjusted in 2025 to account for actual demand of airlines for planes in the coming years.