Russia to build new medium-range passenger planes

MOSCOW, October 6 (Itar-Tass) - A programme of the production of the
Russian medium-range passenger plane MS-21 is estimated at 190 billion
roubles, a source in the aircraft building industry told Itar-Tass.
According to his information, the state will invest in the programme
some 70 billion roubles. "Some two billion roubles will be spent on
research and design programmes, connected with the MS -21 plane, in 2011,"
he added. The source said that 190 billion roubles would be spent on the
MS -21 programme from the beginning of its implementation to 2016.
The MS-21 programme provides for the production of a series of
medium-range passenger planes, which would be used for various purposes
and would be intended for the Russian and world markets of civil aviation
planes. The Irkut Corporation, integrated in the United Aircraft Building
Corporation, is the main enterprise for the fulfilment of the programme.
The creation of the series of medium-range passenger aircraft is envisaged
by a special federal programme of the development of civil aviation.
The MS -21 planes will perceptibly surpass by their technical
characteristics the planes, which are in use today. The introduction of
advanced technologies will ensure the 25 per cent improvement of
fuel-saving characteristics, the 15 per cent reduction of operational
cost, as well as a new, higher level of ecological safety.
The MS-21 plane will make the first flight in 2014. The certification
according to the Russian standards is planned to be completed in 2015, and
according to international standards - in 2016.
The Crecom leasing company of Malaysia was the first client to order
planes of the MS-21 programme. Crecom and Irkut signed a contract for the
deliveries of 50 MS-21 planes at the air show in Farnborough last July.
The planes are to be delivered between 2016 and 2020. The value of the
contract is about three billion dollars. The first two planes will be
delivered late in 2016.
Aside from it, Irkut signed agreements of intentions with the Ilyushin
Finance leasing company for the deliveries of 50 MS -21 planes, with the
VEB Leasing Company - for the deliveries of 30 MS-21 planes, with Nord
Wing Air Company - for the deliveries of five MS-21 planes, and with the
Rostechnologia Company - for the deliveries of 50 MS-21 planes.