Despite sanctions imposed against Russian Federation, European carriers are showing interest in purchasing the indigenous MS-21 airliner. Irkut Corporation will start the jet’s mass production in 2017. It was confirmed by a number of lessors and a source close to United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Izvestiya reports. Irkut Corporation (part of UAC) also confirmed the trend.

“We have already started promotion of the aircraft both in Russia and foreign countries, — said representative of Ilyushin Finance & Co. leasing company, which has already signed a firm contract for delivery of 50 MS-21 aircraft. — We see that European, Middle Eastern and Asian carriers show interest in this jet. All of them are waiting for the first prototypes and results of the first tests. He declined to name certain carriers”.

Irkut Corporation is really negotiating with some potential buyers from foreign countries, a source close to UAC said. First of all, the manufacturer is going to promote the aircraft in countries, which deliver parts for MS-21.

“Some equipment for the airliner is manufactured by foreign companies, including European ones, and, of course, Irkut hopes to find customers in these countries,” he said.

In 2014 Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said that about 50% of the aircraft’s components are manufactured in Russia. As for components manufactured in other countries, anti-condensation systems are supplied by CTT System (Sweden), the cabin is designed by Zodiac Aerospace (France), hydraulic system is developed by Eaton (Ireland), the engine – by Pratt & Whitney, USA (MS-21 jets delivered to Russian customers will be powered by Russian-produced PD-14 engines). Radioelectronic Technologies Concern (KRET, part of Rostec State Corporation) is developing multifunctional indicators for MS-21 in cooperation with Elbit System (Israel).

According to a source close to Irkut Corporation, in June 2014 soon after Farnborough 2014 airshow, CityJet (Ireland) started negotiating purchase of MS-21 and SSJ 100 airliners. Later the negotiations were cancelled due to difficult political situation. CityJet declined to answer Izvestiya’s questions. A source close to UAC noted that among potential buyers there are Indian and Chinese carriers. Most aircraft (around 80%) will be delivered to Russian companies and only 20% of the jets will be exported, the source added.