The high cost of the new regional aircraft LMS-901 "Baikal" gives no hope that airlines will buy it. This opinion was expressed by an aviation expert, the author of the Telegram channel SkyExpert.
According to him, the cost of "Baikal" is around 300 million. SkyExpert is sure that this figure "puts an end to the entire economy".
The main question is, are they needed at all? Airlines buy 4–6 aircraft of this class per year. There are no problems with the purchase, there is no queue. Is it worth updating this issue now, when more important aircraft are in the stage of entering operation?
The author of the channel also assessed the proposal of SibNIA to restore about 700 units of An-2 to airworthy condition. According to him, we are talking about turning all existing gliders into turboprop TVS-2MS at the expense of budgetary funds.
At the same time, SibNIA will realistically pull 8–10 cars a year, and 700 aircraft will be made for 70 years. On the other hand, "Baikal" seems to have acquired an engine and, if there are orders, their UZGA will be able to "churn them out" at the same speed.
It should be noted that the Baikal is equipped with a VK-800SM turboprop engine. For local airlines, the cost of a flight hour will be much cheaper than on the An-2, due to the use of kerosene instead of aviation gasoline.
In January 2026, it became known that UZGA received an order for the first hundred LMS-901 "Baikal" aircraft. We are talking about leasing deliveries with state support.