The confirmed flight range of the MS-21 aircraft may soon increase to 4,000 km. The new parameters are planned to be confirmed as part of ongoing certification tests. Vadim Badeha, head of the United Aircraft Corporation, announced plans to expand the confirmed range of the airliner.
We plan to confirm a range of up to 4,000 km as part of the ongoing certification tests. This is a good range.
According to him, the current characteristics of the aircraft allow it to cover 80 to 90% of the existing route network of Russian air carriers. The corporation also believes that the MS-21 program retains the potential for further improvement of flight characteristics and increased flight range.
Currently, the maximum range of the MS-21 in a 175-passenger configuration is stated at 3830 km. The aircraft is operated by a crew of two, and its maximum takeoff weight reaches 85 tons.
Work on developing the family continues in parallel. Yakovlev company is conducting research and development work to create a shortened version of the aircraft. The MS-21-210 project provides for reduced passenger capacity, increased flight range, and improved flight performance compared to the MS-21-310. R&D is planned to be completed by the end of 2028.
The MS-21 is being created as a new-generation Russian short-to-medium-haul passenger aircraft and is considered a replacement for aging domestic airliners, as well as an alternative to foreign counterparts.
Earlier, OAK head Vadim Babeha announced that in 2026, four Tu-214 aircraft are planned to be produced. These aircraft will be intended for special customers, not for commercial air carriers.