The experienced wide-body Il-96-400M spent several hours in the Yakutsk area, performing a series of landing approaches. The flight was part of the test program.

According to Flightradar24, the experimental aircraft RA-96115 was flying over Yakutsk. The four-engine aircraft was in the air for more than two hours.

The emergency services of the region clarified that there was no cause for concern in connection with the atypical tests; everything went according to plan.

Oleg Panteleev, Executive Director of Aviaport, explained that the Il-96-400M is not of interest to airlines that have already opted for Boeing and Airbus. In fact, this situation makes the airliner illiquid in the domestic market.

The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, noted that Russia has already begun developing a new long-haul aircraft, but did not mention the Il-96.