Irkut claims the aircraft offers a 12-15 percent reduction in operational costs for aircraft of its 150-180 seat class.
The cabin of the MC-21. Image: Irkut
Irkut says the MC-21 program envisages a family of short/medium range aircraft intended for passenger transportation on domestic and international routes. A company statement cites Vice President, Kyrill Budaev’s view that each MC-21 can increase airline profit by USD 4 to 5 million, annually.
The MC-21 program includes participants like Pratt-Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, Thales, Eaton and Zodiac Group of companies.
Irkut already has 235 orders for the 180-passenger aircraft, the certification of which it plans to complete by 2017.
A life size mock-up of the cockpit and cabin will be demonstrated at a special hanger in the static display area at India Aviation 2012.
