Russia to expand aviation industry with MS-21 aircraft and airport upgrades

Russia is advancing its domestic aviation capabilities through the modernization of airport infrastructure and the production of locally manufactured aircraft. President Vladimir Putin announced that the delivery of the first MS-21 aircraft, which are composed entirely of Russian parts, is scheduled to begin to Aeroflot as early as 2027.

The Aeroflot Group has placed an order for 90 new MS-21-310 aircraft, part of a larger long-term contract involving a total of 108 units including technical support. This initiative is intended to provide significant workload for domestic manufacturers and suppliers while serving as a response to Western sanctions.

In addition to aircraft production, Russia is systemically upgrading its airport network. Since 2021, 20 runways and 26 terminals have been put into operation across various cities, including Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, and Magadan. The government aims to modernize at least 75 airports, representing more than one-third of the country’s entire airport network, by 2030.