Aeroflot CEO Sergey Alexandrovsky reiterated the company’s policy pledge to the renewal of its fleet with Russian-built medium-haul MC-21 aircraft at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in June 2025. Alexandrovsky clarified that the group’s low-cost carrier, Pobeda, may receive some Boeing 737-800s that are currently in operation by Aeroflot and Rossiya as mass deliveries of the MC-21 start.
A wholly owned subsidiary of Aeroflot, Pobeda LCC is an ultra-low-cost airline. It mostly operates scheduled services to domestic and international destinations from its airline hub, Vnukovo International Airport. Moscow serves as its headquarters.At present, Pobeda operates purely Boeing 737-800s, each of which is designed to accommodate 189 passengers. This potential redistribution is perceived as a means of optimizing the group’s fleet usage.
Aeroflot and Rossiya are on the verge of becoming the main operators of the new MC-21s, which will represent a substantial change in the group’s fleet composition. In the interim, Pobeda will continue to operate its current Boeing 737-800s, thereby preserving the operational simplicity and efficacy that are inherent in a single-type fleet. However, as the MC-21s are delivered and integrated into Aeroflot and Rossiya’s operations, some Boeing 737-800s may be reassigned to Pobeda.
The ability of the MC-21 to be deployed on the group’s main routes in a timely and reliable manner will significantly influence the tempo and scope of this transfer. This strategy is intended to offer Aeroflot Group increased flexibility in the management of its fleet, thereby guaranteeing that aircraft usage remains high and operational efficiency is preserved, particularly during the transition to domestically produced Airliners. The group’s long-term vision is emphasized by the ambitious delivery schedule for the MC-21.
Aeroflot Group anticipates receiving 108 MC-21 aircraft by 2030, with the total number increasing to 200 by 2033. Negotiations with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) are currently ongoing to finalize terms for an additional 90 aircraft, and 18 of these aircraft have already been signed to firm contracts. Serial production of the MC-21 is expected to begin in 2026, following the planned completion of certification by the end of 2025. At present, approximately 40 MC-21 and SJ-100 aircraft are in various phases of completion at UAC factories, which should facilitate the acceleration of deliveries upon the attainment of certification. The scope and urgency of Aeroflot’s fleet renewal initiatives are both reflected in this robust pipeline.
Aeroflot Group has made significant decisions regarding other Russian aircraft models in addition to its emphasis on the MC-21. The group has chosen not to operate the Tu-214, citing inefficiency for its specific requirements. The Tu-214’s outdated three-person cockpit, which is incompatible with Aeroflot’s preference for modern aircraft with two-person crews, is a critical factor in this decision. In the same vein, the organization has discontinued the integration of the SSJ-100 into its primary fleet. In 2024, Aeroflot announced the cancellation of bookings for 40 Tu-214s and 89 SSJ-100s in favor of the procurement of additional MC-21s. Aeroflot will sublease any SSJ-100s that are delivered under existing contracts to other airlines, thereby further simplifying the composition of its fleet and the maintenance requirements.
The present strategy represents a substantial alteration from previous plans. In 2022, Aeroflot and UAC executed an agreement for the delivery of 339 aircraft by 2030, which includes 210 MC-21s, 89 SSJ New, and 40 Tu-214s, at the Eastern Economic Forum. Nevertheless, the MC-21 was the subject of a rethink as a result of subsequent developments, such as the impact of international sanctions. The MC-21 project was initially developed through international collaboration; however, it has since been entirely localized, using Russian components and the new-generation PD-14 engines. This localization is a critical component of Aeroflot’s initiative to achieve technological independence and resilience.
The airline’s independence from foreign manufacturers is anticipated to be considerably improved by the internal redistribution of Boeing 737-800s within the Aeroflot Group and the transition to the MC-21. Aeroflot seeks to guarantee operational continuity and adherence to changing regulatory and market conditions by upgrading its fleet with state-of-the-art domestic aircraft. The Boeing 737-800 is the only aircraft type that Pobeda maintains to ensure operational efficiency, particularly in the areas of resource planning, pilot and personnel training, and maintenance. Nevertheless, Pobeda will be able to maintain its competitiveness in the dynamic Russian low-cost carrier market by gradually expanding its fleet through the transfer of aircraft from within the group.
Sergey Alexandrovsky observed that the efficiency of resource planning, which includes the training of pilots and cabin personnel, is significantly enhanced by the operation of a single aircraft type. Aeroflot Group’s overarching strategy is founded on this emphasis on technological self-sufficiency, flexibility, and efficiency. Aeroflot is establishing itself as a leader in the Russian aviation sector for the foreseeable future by transitioning to domestic aircraft, managing its fleet with agility, and promoting technological independence.
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