Moscow-based United Aircraft Corporation, known as Irkut, plans to build its own plane MC-21 amid efforts to change the game of the global aviation industry which is almost divided between Europe's Airbus and U.S. Boeing Company.
"MC-21 is the major perspective project of Russia's civil aviation industry ... Our designers work hard to realize a plane which is fuel efficient and less heavy than its Western peers," said Kirill Budaev, Irkut's Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, at the on-going Dubai Airshow.
MC in Russian stands for mid-range, as this plane is designed for short- to mid-range distances. The MC-21 family consists of three modifications: MC-21-200, MC-21-300 and MC-21-400. The price for each plane is set between 69 million and 84 million U.S. dollars, which is 20 percent less than a Boeing 737.
Employing 14,000 staff, Irkut is a joint stock company created in 2007, with its majority being held by the Russian government.
"Fuel efficiency is crucial as the OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) predicts that oil prices will rise at least by 30 percent per barrel until 2030," Budaev said. " Compared to its existing peers like the Boeing 737, the MC-21 offers 12 percent to 15 percent operational cost reduction. This is thanks to the plane's aerodynamic design and its large fuselage, the largest of its class."
The ambitiously designed aircraft shall perform its first test flights in 2013. First deliveries shall start in 2016.
"The message is clear: Russian cars may be no match to Western and East Asian vehicles, but in the field of civil and military aviation Moscow is ready to challenge the near-duopoly of Airbus and Boeing," Budaev said.
Russia's national carrier Aeroflot has already ordered through the Russian Technologies State Corporation 50 MC-21s and 35 planes optional.
However, "the job is not done, as we are still looking for a strong global after-sales partner," he said.
Also, there is still a long way to go for producers from the emerging markets: in 2011, Airbus will deliver 1,231 units for the global civil aviation industry, while Boeing is set to deliver 428 units.
