The Irkut MS-21-300 has received type certification from the Russian Civil Aviation Authority. This means that the medium-haul jet, which was developed as the Russian answer to the Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A320neo, can be used commercially.

The approval process has not yet been fully completed, however, because company boss Andrey Boginsky is aiming for the approval of wings made from composite materials in the Russian Federation in the coming year. This should make the MS-21 a bit more “Russian” and reduce its dependence on suppliers from abroad.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the production of aircraft in Russia declined sharply. The local airlines prefer western aircraft, because the designs that were designed in the Soviet era, but have been further developed, are considered unpopular and in some cases also fuel-guzzling. The Russian government wants to give the industry a new boost and has, among other things, the Sukhoi Superjet SSJ-100, the Irkut MS-21 and the Tupolow Tu-114-300, which it wants to make particularly attractive to domestic suppliers. In some cases, there are favorable leasing conditions and even subsidies for the use of Russian aircraft.

Nevertheless, almost everything is tried to get the machines into the air in the west as well. For example, Interjet and Cityjet flew with SSJ-100 at times. The last-mentioned airline was even working for the Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels Airlines as part of a wet lease contract. 

When asked whether the comparatively cheap Irkut MS-21 would be an alternative for replacing the Airbus A320 fleet at Lauda Europe, said Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary told Aviation.Direct: “In no case will we take this Irkut MS-21, and not even if they are put down for free. This aircraft is rubbish and parts supply is an adventure. I can only say: Do not trust the Russians ”.