The Kazan Aviation Plant (KAZ) will commission several major industrial facilities in 2025 to increase the production of domestically manufactured Tu-214 passenger aircraft, according to the press service of the state corporation Rostec.
The company said that the aviation plant is presently in the process of constructing or reconstructing over 20 production facilities. Furthermore, the recruitment of additional personnel is currently in progress.
Mechanical assembly production, blanking and stamping production, aggregate manufacturing, and the aircraft final assembly workshop were among the five new facilities that KAZ established in 2024, all of which were equipped with up-to-date technology. Rostec emphasizes that KAZ’s production objectives are consistent with the state program for the development of domestic civil aviation through 2030, which factors in the demand for Russian aircraft from airlines.
The domestic civil aviation development program has been revised to include the delivery of 15 Tu-214 aircraft in 2026. KAZ is anticipated to begin producing 20 aircraft annually in 2027.
Nevertheless, KAZ representatives have reported that the plant is presently in the process of completing 16 Tu-214 aircraft. Five of these aircraft will be delivered to customers by the end of the year, and seven more will be delivered in 2026.
In 2027, KAZ intends to deliver 17 aircraft in accordance with its further manufacturing plans. According to KAZ representatives, the plant is anticipated to produce 28 aircraft annually from 2028 to 2030 as a result of delays. Nevertheless, experts contend that this is unlikely, even with the new production facilities, as the facility may not be able to produce more than 20 Tu-214 aircraft annually.
Additionally, Rostec disclosed that numerous leasing companies and airlines are interested in purchasing the Tu-214. Agreements of intent have been executed for 67 aircraft, firm contracts have been executed for 20 aircraft, and potential customers have submitted applications for 61 aircraft. However, details about specific customers remain confidential.
Details of agreements and firm contracts will be disclosed after necessary choices are made, and KAZ is currently in the process of fulfilling existing contracts. While production is ongoing, efforts are being made toward improving the aircraft, with a particular emphasis on weight reduction. Flight tests with new Russian components have been performed using a Tu-214 flying laboratory since November 2024.
A newly assembled Tu-214 aircraft with the registration number RA-64535 made its first flight on December 27, 2024. This is the first passenger aircraft to be manufactured under the domestic aviation development program, which will continue until 2030. Initially, the plane was scheduled for assembly in 2022 and delivery to the consumer in 2023.
As per KAZ representatives, the 35th serial Tu-214 passenger aircraft is the aircraft that flew at the end of the year, designated as RA-64535. In the summer of 2022, the Special Flight Squadron Rossiya received the previous Tu-214PU aircraft, which bore the registration number RA-64534. The designation “PU” in the context of the Tu-214PU refers to a specific variant of the Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft, which is configured for special missions, particularly electronic reconnaissance.
It is important to mention that S7 Airlines, one of Russia’s main airlines, currently operating as Siberia Airlines, has signed a memorandum of understanding with United Aircraft Corporation for the delivery of 100 Tu-214 aircraft. The airline UVT-Aero from the Republic of Tatarstan has also announced that it anticipates the delivery of the first four Tu-214 aircraft under a binding contract within the next two years, with two of the aircraft set to commence operations in 2025.
The Tatarstan-based airline is expected to receive the Tu-214 aircraft, which is currently undertaking flight tests and has the registration number RA-64535.
The Tu-214’s new passenger versions have not been produced in almost 15 years, as the facility has previously concentrated on the restoration of previously produced aircraft. Nevertheless, United Aircraft Corporation has committed to rectifying this situation during the years 2025–2026.
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