Industry experts are cautiously optimistic about the readiness of domestic aircraft for mass operation. According to Andrey Patrakov, founder of RunAvia, the certificate obtained by the Tu-214 does not refer to a completely new type of aircraft, but to changes in the design of the basic Tu-204 model, certified back in 1994. At the same time, modern avionics are installed on board, including the TCAS system, which, in his opinion, represents a technological breakthrough. However, the PS-90A engines are inferior in performance to the new PD-14s used on the MC-21, although they are considered reliable due to many years of operation.
Roman Gusarov, editor-in-chief of Avia.ru, noted that despite the age of the design, the Tu-214 remains competitive against the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, whose basic versions also date back to the 1960s-1980s. He emphasized that the funds invested in the modernization of the Kazan Aviation Plant are justified, but expressed doubts about the timing of deliveries of new aircraft.
However, there are doubts about the timing of the aircraft's commissioning. Most likely, they will lay down eight Tu-214 aircraft next year, but, taking into account the 1.5-year aircraft manufacturing cycle, they will manage to deliver three units in 2026, and the others in 2027.
As for the Il-114-300, according to Oleg Panteleev, executive director of the Aviaport agency, it is eagerly awaited in the Far East and the Far North, where 40-year-old An-24s are still in operation. The advantage of the new turboprop is its fuel efficiency. However, Patrakov pointed out a potential problem: the Il-114 engines are located closer to the ground, which may complicate operation at airfields with unpaved runways and in permafrost conditions. The success of the project, according to Panteleev, will depend on the degree of adaptation of the aircraft to such conditions.
Against the background of Rosaviatsia's forecasts that more than 339 aircraft, including 230 domestic ones, will be decommissioned by 2030, the arrival of new equipment in 2026 is of strategic importance. However, industry players will have to not only increase production volumes, but also ensure that the new aircraft meet the realities of the Russian infrastructure.