European Carriers Show Interest in Buying Russian MS-21 Airliners - Reports

Despite the European Union’s anti-Russia sanctions, a number of European carriers have expressed interest in purchasing the Irkut MS-21 airliner, currently in development in Russia, Izvestia newspaper reported Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The MS-21 airliner is designed by Russia’s Irkut Corporation as a short- and mid-range airliner capable of carrying up to 211 passengers.

The first planes of the new series are set to be produced in 2017.

"Companies from Europe, the Middle East and Asia have shown us their interest towards the aircraft. They are all waiting for the first planes to be produced and for the results of the tests," a representative of Russian aircraft leasing company Ilyushin Finance Co told Izvestia.

A source close to the United Aircraft Corporation (UAK) confirmed to the newspaper that Russia’s Irkut Corporation is indeed holding talks with potential buyers. Currently the manufacturer focuses on promoting the aircraft in the countries that supply some of its components.

In 2014, Russia’s minister for industry and trade, Denis Manturov said that some 50 percent of the MS-21 components are Russian-produced. The aircraft also uses components that are Swedish, French, Irish and US-made.