The Irkutsk Aviation Plant intends to independently paint serial MC-21s starting from early 2027, instead of transferring this work to a third-party enterprise in Ulyanovsk. Currently, IAZ is mastering the technology and checking the quality of painting on other aircraft, said Andrey Soynov, the general director of the enterprise.
The first practical stage was the An-24 of IrAero Airlines, which the plant has already repainted. On October 10, IAZ is expected to receive another aircraft for repainting. According to Soynov, during these works, the enterprise assesses the quality of the coating and looks for ways to reduce the duration of the technological process.
For civil aviation equipment, we are mastering a new competence. We plan to switch to painting aircraft here, in Irkutsk
In parallel, the plant agreed to paint one experimental import-substituted Superjet 100. In November, the enterprise plans to paint an imported MC-21 with Russian paints produced by OOO Russkie Kraski.
Previously, it was assumed that the MC-21 and Superjet would be painted at the facilities of Spektr-Avia company in Ulyanovsk. Now IAZ intends to transfer this volume of work to its own site.
According to Soynov, the transition to painting serial MC-21s in Irkutsk is expected in early 2027. In the same year, the installation of cabin interiors on serial airliners should begin on the production line. This means that the enterprise is gradually expanding the list of operations performed directly at its production site.