The new Tu-214 passenger aircraft performed its first demonstration flight in a special artistic livery. The display took place at the “I Choose the Sky” aviation festival in Kazan.
The aircraft took off from the territory of the S. P. Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant – a branch of JSC “Tupolev”, part of Rostec's United Aircraft Corporation. The new design of the airliner is dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
The fuselage features an image of the Alkonost bird, inspired by Viktor Vasnetsov's painting “Sirin and Alkonost. Song of Joy and Sorrow”. The project authors noted that the design combines classical Russian art and modern domestic aircraft manufacturing.
The project was implemented with the support of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade as part of an agreement between the State Tretyakov Gallery and JSC “Tupolev”.
At the end of 2025, the Tu-214 with fully domestic systems and components received approval for a major change in its type design. Serial production of these aircraft continues at the Kazan Aviation Plant.
After the completion of the testing program and demonstration events, the aircraft is planned to be used for transporting works of art. It is expected to deliver exhibits from the Tretyakov Gallery to new cultural, educational, and museum complexes being built in Vladivostok, Kaliningrad, Kemerovo, and Sevastopol.