Aeroflot Plans to Acquire Over 100 MC-21 Aircraft by 2030

Aeroflot’s Ambitious MC-21 Acquisition Plan

Aeroflot Group has announced its intention to acquire more than 100 MC-21-300 aircraft by 2030, as revealed by CEO Sergei Aleksandrovsky in a recent interview with Russia-24. The airline is actively preparing to operate the new Russian-made jets following the civil aviation regulator Rosaviatsiya’s recent approval of MC-21-300 production. Aleksandrovsky highlighted strong pilot interest in retraining for the new aircraft type and outlined plans to construct up to four additional hangars, enabling simultaneous maintenance of as many as ten MC-21-300s.

This delivery target aligns with Rostec’s broader objective to produce 200 domestically built jets by 2030. However, the MC-21 program has encountered delays and technical challenges. Notably, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has yet to complete certification flights for the fully import-substituted MC-21-300 variant powered by Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines. UAC anticipates that serial production will commence in 2026, a timeline that may influence Aeroflot’s delivery schedule.

Fleet Expansion Amid Geopolitical Challenges

Aeroflot is also expecting to receive 198 MC-21-300s on lease from Avia Capital Services, in addition to forty Tu-214s and fifty-five Sukhoi Superjet 100s from the same lessor, according to ch-aviation data. The airline currently operates a diverse fleet comprising Airbus A320 and A321 variants, A330-300s, A350-900s, Boeing 737-800s, and Boeing 777-300ERs.

These expansion plans come against a backdrop of significant challenges for Russia’s aviation sector. Western sanctions imposed following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022 have prohibited Russian carriers from acquiring Western-made aircraft, compelling a strategic pivot toward domestic alternatives. Aeroflot’s ongoing efforts to resolve arrangements for its remaining 36 leased Western aircraft underscore the complexities of navigating international relations and insurance claims amid the current geopolitical environment.

Competitors within the Russian market are similarly adapting by focusing on domestic aircraft programs such as the Baikal turboprop and the Sukhoi Superjet 100, initiatives that may reshape the country’s commercial aviation landscape.

Rossiya Airlines’ Fleet Consolidation Strategy

Within the Aeroflot Group, subsidiary Rossiya Airlines is set to consolidate its fleet around the MC-21-300, gradually phasing out other aircraft types, including widebody jets. Aleksandrovsky stated, “As the fleet is replaced, we plan to switch to operating only medium-haul aircraft.” Rossiya currently operates a mixed fleet of Airbus, Boeing, and Sukhoi Superjet aircraft but is scheduled to receive thirty-four Sukhoi Superjet 100s and sixty-three MC-21-300s. Upon delivery, the Sukhoi Superjet 100s will be leased to other carriers.

As Russia intensifies efforts to substitute foreign aircraft with domestic models, Aeroflot’s success in acquiring the MC-21 fleet will hinge on overcoming production delays, certification challenges, and persistent geopolitical headwinds.