The flight testing of new Russian MS-21 aircraft will be started in 2016, President of Irkut Corporation, Oleg Demchenko, told i-Mash at LIMA-2015 show.

“This year we will complete assembly of the first prototype. In 2016 we are going to start the flight testing,” Demchenko said. According to the CEO “MS-21 program is on schedule and we are doing our best to preserve it”.

“The major problem in the network of MS-21 program is the “black wing” (wing made of composites), - Demchenko said. – These are the brand-new technologies for Russian aircraft industry. Our country has never used them before. The road is long, but I think we are going to make it”.

MS-21 aircraft will replace Tu-154 and Tu-134 jets. Irkut Corporation is assembling the jet. Three versions of MS-21 seating 150, 180 and 212 passengers will be manufactured.

Irkut Corporation believes that the liner will outmatch Boeing and Airbus aircraft of the same class in terms of aircraft performance; it will be put into operation in 2017.