Date set for signing deal on purchase of aircrafts MC-21

/By Azernews/

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) will sign a contract on the purchase of 10 aircrafts MC-21 in the first quarter of 2017, said Alexander Rubtsov, the general director of "Ilyushin Finance Co."

The sides have signed a memorandum of intent for purchase the aircrafts in June, expiration date of the document is February 2017, Trend reports.

“We are waiting for the first flight of the aircraft. After that we will prepare more solid agreement which will contain all necessary information. The agreement is expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2017,” Rubtsov said.

Meanwhile, the first flight of Russia’s MC-21, which was presented on June 8 at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, is planned for December 2016-February 2017, Air Transport World reported.  

MC-21 which is also referred to as main plane of the 21st century is assembled and developed by Russia’s Irkut Corporation, which is part of the United Aircraft Corporation.

MC-21 is a family of new generation medium range single-aisle jets with wide-body aircraft comfort. The aircraft combine the latest trends in global aviation with Russia's experience in aerospace industry.

The Irkutsk Aviation Plant is planning to produce three versions of the MC-21, including the 150-seat MC-21-200, the 180-seat MC-21-300 and the 212-seat MC-21-400.

The Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has ordered 50 planes, while Egypt's KATO Investment company ordered six planes during the Dubai Airshow 2015. In late April, Irkut Corporation and Air Tanzania signed a memorandum of understanding, expressing mutual interest in the Tanzanian flag carrier acquiring Russian MC-21 airliners, Sputnik News reported.

For now, only the first instance of the aircraft is totally assembled.

Ilyushin Finance Company provides aircraft sale and lease services combining financial solutions with aircraft marketing and complete asset management, including aircraft customization and after sale support.

Azerbaijan Airlines is a major air carrier and one of the leaders of the aviation community of CIS countries. AZAL with the newest airplane fleets, consisting of 25 airplanes, does not have a single old plane. Azerbaijan Airlines is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).