The first MS-21 will perform its maiden flight in the second quarter of 2016 in Irkutsk, Dmitry Rogozin said. Deputy Chairman of the Russian government visited Irkutsk Aviation Plant and held a meeting dedicated to the status of MS-21 project. The governor of Irkutsk Region Sergey Eroshenko, president of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Yuri Slusar and president of Irkut Corporation Oleg Demchenko took part in the meeting, IA IrkutskMedia reports with reference to the press-service of Irkutsk Region’s government.

“MS-21 is the top-priority project in the civil aviation segment. It is considered as a powerhouse in terms of development of cutting-edge technologies in the area of aerodynamics, engines, avionics, etc. Moreover, after the start of its mass production we are going to keep developing our aircraft industry in order to meet the needs of civil aviation in the area of short-, medium- and possibly long-haul aircraft. It is very important to develop engine building industry, because our aircraft must be powered by indigenous engines,” Dmitry Rogozin noted.

During the visit Irkutsk Aviation Plant demonstrated the most important stages of assembly of the latest short- and medium-haul aircraft – MS-21. Dmitry Rogozin confirmed that the program is on schedule and said that the first aircraft will be ready in the second quarter of 2016.

We remind you that MS-21 is the airliner, which should replace Tu-154 jets. Irkut Corporation is responsible for production of the aircraft. 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.

IA IrkutskMedia reported earlier that the first MS-21 prototype should be assembled in 2015, but delays are possible, the head of Regional Marketing Department of Irkut Corporation, Viktor Lichaev, said at LAAD-2015 exhibition held in Rio de Janeiro. The jet’s certification should be completed in 2016 and its mass production will be started in 2017.

We remind you that Irkut Corporation will receive $3,9 billion for production of MS-21 airliners manufactured by Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The funds will be allocated from the federal budget in the network of a state program for provision of state guarantees to legal entities for implementation of investment.

It should be noted, the head of the plant’s final assembly workshop Igor Ivanov during the telephone call-in show asked the President of Russia Vladimir Putin about long-term state contracts with the enterprise. The President said that the government would prevent any disruptions of the enterprise’s day-to-day activities.