Pulkovo Airport has prepared its ground services for handling the Russian medium-haul aircraft MC-21. This was reported on September 19 by the airport's press service. According to the airport, the ground handling service received certification for MC-21 maintenance back in 2023, which allowed Pulkovo to be the first in Russia to confirm its readiness to work with the new type of aircraft.

The preparation concerns ground handling and support for MC-21 aircraft at the airport. Pulkovo also reported that the St. Petersburg — Moscow route is planned to be among the first routes where Russian airliners will be used.

However, this is currently only about plans: the certification of the fully import-substituted version of the MC-21 is still ongoing.

The current readiness of the airport takes on additional significance against the backdrop of an expanding supply program. On September 18, Aeroflot and Rostec signed a contract for 90 MC-21 aircraft with deliveries in 2029–2032. Another 18 airliners are to be received by the airline and the Rossiya group under an agreement concluded in 2023 — the first deliveries of this batch are scheduled for 2027–2028.