MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Russia's state-owned technology development and production company Rostec has published pictures of the country's most recent airliner under development with the liveries of American and Lufthansa.
The MC-21-300 showed up on the company's Telegram page on August 30 with the colors of the two major airlines, American Airlines and Lufthansa.
"Following the designers participating in the 'Design Act-2022' contest, we decided to get a little creative and dress the MC-21 in the liveries of the world's largest airlines," the post said.
"For now, Lufthansa and American Airlines use Boeing and Airbus aircraft, but who knows what will happen in 5-10 years?" it continued.
The MC-21 program was launched in 2007 by UAC (United Aircraft Corporation) subsidiary Irkut Corporation. The manufacturer rolled out the first MC-21-300 on June 8, 2016, and the aircraft made its first flight on May 28, 2017.
Russia's new single-aisle jet is intended to compete with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family jets. The manufacturer was planning to power the first copies with Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G engines, but the company was forced to rely on Russian avionics and a Russian engine (Aviadvigatel PD-14) after international sanctions imposed against Russia by the International Community over the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia's new single-aisle jet is intended to compete with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family jets. The manufacturer was planning to power the first copies with Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G engines, but the company was forced to rely on Russian avionics and a Russian engine (Aviadvigatel PD-14) after international sanctions imposed against Russia by the International Community over the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
UAC says the share of composites in the design of the MC-21 is about 40%, which is a record figure for a medium-haul aircraft. As a result, the aircraft turned out to be lighter and more economical.
Irkut's MC-21 has so far accumulated 175 firm orders mainly from Russian carriers. Country's flag carrier Aeroflot is the largest buyer with 50 copies on order. UAC was planning to deliver first aircraft later this year, but it was delayed to 2024-2025 due to ongoing sanctions.
Irkut's MC-21 has so far accumulated 175 firm orders mainly from Russian carriers. Country's flag carrier Aeroflot is the largest buyer with 50 copies on order. UAC was planning to deliver first aircraft later this year, but it was delayed to 2024-2025 due to ongoing sanctions.
The MC-21-300 has a capacity of 132–163 passengers in a two-class and 165–211 in all-economy configuration with a flight range of up to 3,200–3,500 nautical miles. The manufacturer is also planning to produce a shortened MC-21-200 variant.
