The creation of a new cockpit for the Tu-214 passenger aircraft may require over 20 billion rubles in additional funding. These funds will be needed for the aircraft's transition to a two-person crew, which is one of S7 Airlines' key requirements when discussing future deliveries. This was reported by "Kommersant" newspaper, citing its sources in the industry.

Currently, the cost of one Tu-214 is estimated at almost 8.9 billion rubles. This price remains one of the main factors influencing the carrier's decision to conclude a large contract. The industry is discussing the possibility of state support, which could reduce the aircraft's cost to approximately 6 billion rubles, but the final financing mechanism has not yet been approved.

In order to reduce the operating cost of the aircraft, additional funds must be allocated for its deep cockpit modernization. As a result of the update, the cockpit should be designed to eliminate the third crew member – the flight engineer.

The transition of the Tu-214 to a two-person cockpit remains one of S7's key requirements, as this configuration will reduce costs for crew training and aircraft operation. However, creating a new version will require not only significant investments but also time for technical work and certification of changes.

Earlier it was reported that the contract for the supply of up to 100 Tu-214 passenger aircraft for S7 was on the verge of collapse. The reason was unresolved issues with aircraft modernization, high cost, and the absence of state mechanisms that would make the purchase economically viable.