The start of serial production of the short-haul SJ-100 airliner is scheduled for autumn 2026. This was announced by the Governor of Khabarovsk Krai, Dmitry Demeshin, who emphasized that the aircraft is fully import-substituted. According to him, Russian regions have a high demand for new aircraft – estimated at approximately 100 units. Part of this demand will be met by the SJ-100, and part by the Il-114-300.

The statement by the head of the region is particularly significant because it is in Khabarovsk Krai, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, that the production center of the "Regional Aircraft" branch of PAO "Yakovlev" (part of Rostec) is located, where the final assembly of these airliners takes place.

The SJ-100 is a short-haul narrow-body aircraft designed to carry up to 103 passengers. The length of the airliner is 29.94 m, the wingspan is 29.7 m, and the height is 10.28 m. The maximum flight range reaches 4320 km, and the cruising speed is about 830 km/h. The aircraft is equipped with two domestic PD-8 turbofan engines: they were built in just six years. However, such speed without working through failures could be costly in the future, warned earlier Alexander Yavkin, chief designer of the Be-200 amphibian aircraft.

Earlier, in early June, OAK head Vadim Badeha reported plans to complete certification tests of the SJ-100 by the end of summer. At that time, about 80% of flights had been completed. In December 2025, Rostec head Sergey Chemezov expected certification to be completed in early 2026, but the deadlines shifted. In May, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov spoke about plans to start deliveries in late 2026 or early 2027.