Soviet biplanes An-2 in 2026 are unlikely to remain competitive, and the very idea of a massive return of machines from storage raises doubts about the economy and feasibility. This was stated by a former military pilot and author of the Telegram channel Fighterbomber.
According to him, now An-2 is used only in conditions where there are really no alternatives. At the same time, he emphasizes that, in his opinion, there are almost no such zones left.
Yes, there were times when even in central Russia an ordinary citizen could fly from the district center to the regional center on an An-2. But that was when the same journey by train took 8 hours, and by bus - 5. Today, by private transport, this journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
The ex-pilot admitted that he does not enthusiastically perceive the idea of flying on an aircraft without a fixed service life.
I would not be interested at all and very sad to get on a plane that does not have a calendar life. I immediately understand that the Wright brothers also flew on it.
Fighterbomber recalled that the choice of private carriers "for certain reasons" often shifts towards imported solutions, while state tasks are solved without strict adherence to economic efficiency.
Earlier, the developer of the famous biplanes, SibNIA named after Chaplygin, proposed to restore the airworthiness of up to 700 An-2s stored by private owners.
The project involves modernization - replacing the ASH-62IR engine and updating instruments and the cabin. The cost of restoring one aircraft is estimated at 17–25 million rubles, the entire fleet — up to 21 billion.