Russia Ensures Continuous Air Travel as Minister Vows to Balance Fleet Maintenance and New Aircraft Development

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin has reassured the public that the country's passengers will not be left without access to air travel. He stated that the government will strike a balance between maintaining the airworthiness of existing aircraft and developing new domestic planes. According to Nikitin, Russian airlines have developed a unique system for ensuring flight worthiness, and they currently possess the necessary technical expertise to work with and repair foreign-made engines. However, the minister noted that it would be preferable to replace these engines with Russian-made alternatives in the future. The development of domestic aircraft has been a priority for the Russian government, with President Vladimir Putin emphasizing the need for modern, domestically produced planes in 2025. Several Russian aircraft, including the Il-114-300 regional passenger plane, have already received or are undergoing certification. The certification process for the MC-21 and the imported-substituted Superjet is expected to be completed in 2027 and 2026, respectively. With these efforts underway, Nikitin is confident that Russian passengers will continue to have access to reliable air travel options.