Russian aerostructures supplier Aviastar has shipped fuselage panels for the second prototype MS-21 to the aircraft's developer Irkut.

Production of the panels for the third example, and of the auxiliary power unit (APU) cover for the second, is also under way, says Aviastar.

In 2016, the Ulyanovsk-based company will also produce the doors – 11 for each aircraft – and vertical and horizontal stabilisers for the second prototype and APU compartment for the third, it says.

Final assembly of the new Russian narrowbody is taking place in Irkutsk, with the first flight-test article set to roll out by mid-2016 and to conduct a maiden sortie late this year.