Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) says it has started delivering Tu-214 passenger jets, a type that remained largely out of production for commercial operators until Moscow decided to revive the program years ago.
Speaking to state news agency TASS, UAC CEO Vadim Badekha said deliveries of the aircraft are already underway, although he did not disclose how many aircraft have been handed over or identify the customer involved.
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The Tu-214 is a twin-engine narrowbody airliner derived from the Soviet-era Tu-204 family. While the aircraft remained in limited production for government and special-mission operators, Russia decided to expand manufacturing after access to Western-built aircraft and components became increasingly restricted.
According to UAC, the latest version of the Tu-214 incorporates domestically produced materials and components replacing imported equipment. The company said the modified aircraft received certification approval in late 2025 following flight tests.
Interim solution
The Tu-214 is widely viewed as an interim solution for Russian airlines while more modern programs such as the MC-21 and SJ-100 work through certification and production ramp-up challenges. Compared with newer aircraft designs, the Tu-214 relies on older technology and less fuel-efficient engines, but benefits from an existing certified airframe and established production experience.
In a separate interview with TASS, Badekha said Russia has completed development of four passenger aircraft programs intended to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers: the Tu-214, MC-21-310, SJ-100 and Il-114-300.
"In 2025, we got all the aircraft the country had been waiting for into the air," Badekha told the news agency.
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According to the executive, the Tu-214 has already been certified, while the Il-114-300 has completed certification flights and is expected to receive approval in the near future.
MC-21 and SJ-100 close to achieving certification
Badekha also said certification testing remains underway for the MC-21 and SJ-100. He claimed that approximately 20% of certification flights remain for the SJ-100 and about 70% for the MC-21.
"The import-substituted aircraft have been created, and certification is only a matter of a short period of time," he said.
The claims could not be independently verified. Russia has repeatedly promoted progress on its domestic airliner programs since sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine disrupted access to Western aircraft, engines and components. Several certification and delivery targets announced in recent years have subsequently been delayed.
