Deliveries of MS-21 passenger aircraft are once again in the spotlight after a harsh discussion about their production deadlines. Vladimir Putin, during the inspection of the new airliner, demanded that the assigned tasks not be delayed. One of the most emotional moments of the meeting was when the president, in a jocular but firm manner, strictly warned officials.
When? I'll strangle you! Everything needs to be done faster.
A fragment of the meeting was shown in the program of Kremlin pool correspondent Pavel Zarubin on the "Russia 1" TV channel. The president was shown a completely updated MS-21, which is expected to become one of the main aircraft for Russian airlines. According to current plans, the first production aircraft should begin arriving to carriers in about a year.
Vitaly Naryshkin, the chief designer of the MS-21 program, said that the aircraft has a wider fuselage compared to Boeing. This has increased the aisle width between seats and passenger comfort.
During the inspection of the airliner, Putin specifically inquired about the start dates of deliveries. The president made it clear that he expects the program to be completed as quickly as possible and anticipates the appearance of Russian aircraft in airline fleets without further delays. His emotional remark was made with a smile, but it clearly showed his attitude towards the pace of implementation of one of the key projects of Russian civil aviation.