Tu-214 Receives Approval for Major Design Change

Russia’s Tu-214 airliner has returned to frontline civil service after receiving formal approval for a major change to its standard design. The aircraft, now equipped with a modern suite of domestically produced avionics and onboard systems, has been certified by the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) following a positive conclusion from the Russian Aviation Register confirming compliance with all stated airworthiness requirements.

The Certificate of Approval marks a key step in Russia’s civil aviation import-substitution programme and clears the way for serial production of the updated Tu-214 for domestic airline operators. The document was formally presented by Dmitry Yadrov, Head of Rosaviatsiya, to Zufar Mirgalimov, First Deputy Managing Director of JSC Tupolev and Director of the S.P. Gorbunov Kazan Aircraft Plant, which forms part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) within Rostec State Corporation.

The presentation ceremony was attended by senior government and industry figures, including Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Andrei Nikitin, Minister of Transport, and representatives of the enterprises responsible for supplying the aircraft’s new onboard systems.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov highlighted the technological significance of the upgrade. He noted that Russian specialists had effectively developed an entirely new, state-of-the-art avionics suite, including indigenous air collision avoidance and ground proximity warning systems. According to Alikhanov, these safety-critical systems had long been dominated by a single global supplier, a monopoly that Russian industry has now successfully challenged. He added that the proven systems developed for the Tu-214 will be rolled out across other aircraft types, underlining that the programme represents a concrete step toward technological sovereignty in civil aviation.

The approval also has major industrial implications. Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin emphasised that certification of the import-substituted Tu-214 opens the door to serial deliveries to Russian airlines. UAC plans to ramp up production to as many as 20 aircraft per year by the end of 2027. Nikitin stressed that sustained serial production will create skilled jobs, support regional development, and build long-term expertise in aircraft manufacturing. He expressed confidence that Tupolev would continue refining the design in line with airline requirements, while the Kazan Aircraft Plant would meet the targeted production rates.

The certification decision follows an extensive test and validation campaign. A Tu-214 flying laboratory, modified as part of the import-substitution programme, completed its maiden flight in November 2024. This was followed by a series of development flights, leading into an additional certification test programme that began in February 2025 and was completed later that year. Once flight testing concluded, teams undertook comprehensive work to compile and validate the required certification documentation.

Rostec State Corporation described the programme as strategically vital. In a statement, the corporation said that creating fully domestically produced aircraft within such a compressed timeframe is a critical national capability, particularly for a country of Russia’s scale. Numerous Rostec enterprises contributed to ensuring the Tu-214 received the necessary supplement to its type certificate. Rostec also confirmed that large-scale modernisation is underway at the Kazan plant to support higher production volumes, to deliver comfortable, reliable, and fully Russian-built aircraft that enhance regional connectivity.

Dmitry Yadrov underscored the collective effort behind the achievement, noting that certification of major aviation projects requires sustained cooperation across scientific, industrial, and regulatory sectors. He described the Tu-214 as a fully Russian-made medium-haul aircraft now ready to safely carry passengers, adding that similar efforts are continuing across other civil aviation programmes.

UAC Chief Executive Officer Vadim Badekha echoed these sentiments, praising the work of engineers, designers, test pilots, and partner companies operating under challenging conditions. He noted that while the Tu-214 is the first import-substituted civil aircraft to gain such approval, further work lies ahead across Russia’s civil aircraft portfolio.

The Tu-214 is a medium-range, narrow-body airliner with seating for up to 210 passengers. It is powered by domestically produced PS-90A turbofan engines, developed and manufactured by Rostec’s United Engine Corporation, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of Russia’s drive toward an independent civil aviation ecosystem.