Airlines

Putin says Russia plans to build 1,000 passenger planes

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In a recent annual press conference on Thursday, President Vladimir Putin disclosed Russia’s ambitious goal to manufacture over 1,000 passenger planes by 2030. Putin expressed concern over the current state of the Russian aviation market, describing it as “overloaded” with foreign-made aircraft.

The President outlined key strategies to achieve this monumental target, emphasizing the production of MC-21 aircraft and the retrofitting of existing airplanes with domestically manufactured PD engines. Notably, he highlighted the imperative need to launch the production of a more powerful PD-35 engine with enhanced thrust capabilities. This development, according to Putin, would facilitate the expansion of the long-range aircraft fleet, including the Il-96-400 series.

Furthermore, Putin acknowledged Russia’s existing operational cargo variant of the Il-96 series and emphasized the importance of advancing with the production of the PD-35 engine for future aircraft models.

However, Putin also acknowledged the challenges faced by the Russian aviation industry, particularly in the aftermath of Western sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions have significantly hindered the industry’s operational efficiency, making it difficult for Russian airlines to procure crucial Boeing and Airbus parts required for maintenance and upkeep.

As Russia charts its course to become a major player in the global aviation sector, President Putin’s announcement signals a determined effort to overcome obstacles and reestablish the country’s prominence in the manufacturing and operation of passenger planes.

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Airlines

S7 Group Begins Fan Blade Production for Western Engine Models

The privately-owned Russian aerospace giant S7 Group has reportedly commenced production of blades for Western-built aero engines at its subsidiary, the Berdsk Electromechanical Plant (BEMZ), located in Novosibirsk.

This development, reported by the Russian aviation publication ATO.ru, marks a significant step for the company amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.BEMZ has started manufacturing composite fan blades compatible with jet turbine engines, including the CFM International CFM56, which powers popular aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family.

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The technology for restoring blades of gas turbine engines used in Airbus and Boeing aircraft was previously developed by the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and is now being implemented in the production of new aircraft parts at BEMZ.

Currently, BEMZ focuses on producing parts essential for maintaining the airworthiness of civil aircraft. Over the past year and a half, the plant has manufactured approximately 3,500 structural elements and components for replacement on foreign aircraft, which are utilized by airlines such as S7 Airlines, Pobeda, Aurora, and Aeroflot.

The facility is undergoing expansion, with two stages of an investment program totaling 2 billion roubles already completed. These developments are likely geared toward producing blades for the CFM56 engines, which equip more than half of S7’s operational fleet, including 28 Airbus A320-family aircraft and 19 Boeing 737-800s.

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Vasily Yurchenko, CEO of Berdsk Electromechanical Plant, emphasized the shift in focus towards maintaining the airworthiness of the Western-made fleet. The plant has delivered thousands of components to S7 and other Russian carriers since 2022. Notably, according to Russia’s Air Operators Association, 89% of the country’s passengers in 2023 traveled aboard foreign-made aircraft.

Future plans include serious investments to transform the plant into a modern, high-tech aircraft manufacturing facility. In addition to engine blades, BEMZ is also known for producing various spare parts for aircraft, reinforcing its role in the Russian aviation industry as it adapts to new manufacturing needs.