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Tu-214 crisis in Russia: Why can't the Kazan plant deliver the planes on time?

Mar 29, 2025
The Kazan Aviation Plant (KAZ), a key subsidiary of Tupolev (under Rostec's United Aircraft Corporation), is falling behind on its goal of delivering four Tu-214 medium-range aircraft to airlines by 2025 due to chronic production bottlenecks. According to Vedomosti sources, only two aircraft will be ready: one in final assembly starting in 2024 and another refurbished from storage as a flight test laboratory. A nearly completed Tu-214 in VIP configuration (RA-64535) has been sent to Minsk for painting, but the overall production schedule remains uncertain. Key Challenges: Severe engineering shortage hampers assembly. Flaws in the cross-sector supply chain force KAZ to manage 90% of production internally. Import substitution efforts have drastically modified the Tu-214's design, making it more difficult to manufacture compared to pre-2022 models. Government Plans vs. Reality: The Civil Aviation Development Program (CCADP) initially projected 113 Tu-214s between 2024 and 2030, with annual deliveries increasing (up to 28 per year starting in 2028). However, Konstantin Timofeev of the UAC admitted that the two-year production cycle makes this goal unrealistic. Industry Minister Anton Alikhanov insists the 2025 targets will be met, but sources say delays are inevitable, pushing deliveries to 2026–2027 following the KAZ modernization, a 92 billion ruble upgrade announced in 2024. Market demand and airline doubts: Aeroflot, which signed for 40 Tu-214s in 2022, is now prioritizing MC-21s. Yakutia Airlines, S7, IrAero, and UVT Aero have expressed interest, but without firm orders. The State Transport Leasing Company committed to 41 Tu-214s (2027–2032), but the majority of demand comes from government and special contracts, not from commercial airlines. Broader Implications:

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#Business News #Aviation Industry #Aerospace & Defense