The maiden flight of MS-21 was rescheduled for mid-2015 (the previous date was late 2014), a source close to Irkut Corporation said on the sidelines of Wings of Russia International Aviation Forum.

According to Prime, the source noted that the jet’s maiden flight has been postponed because the deliveries of engines have been deferred to a later date. He added that delivery of PW-1400 engine will be delayed for six months.
At the same time, another source close to the engine industry said that the delay of engine deliveries is not connected with the extension of its development time. The first PW-1100 engine (analog of PW-1400) will be delivered to Airbus in order to power А320neo aircraft.
He also added that the engine will be delivered to Irkut by June 2015. However, the airframer planned to take the delivery of first PW-1400 in late 2014. He also noted that the signing of the corresponding agreement between Irkut and Pratt & Whitney was also delayed by 6 months.
At that, a source from Irkut Corporation expressed hope that this setback will not cause the delays of aircraft deliveries to the carriers. The first delivery is scheduled for 2017.
МS-21 is the advanced liner, which should replace Tu-154 and Tu-134 aircraft. The aircraft will be assembled by Irkutsk aviation plant forming pat of Irkut Corporation. There will be three versions of MS-21: МS-21-200 (150 seats), МS-21-300 (180 seats) and МS-21-400 (212 seats).