By IANS,
Hyderabad : Russia’s IRKUT Corp, a part of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), hopes to bag significant orders from India for its MC-21 futuristic aircraft, which will be rolled out in 2017.
Some Indian airlines showed keen interest in the futuristic aircraft, whose mockup is being showcased at the ongoing India Aviation 2012, the international exhibition on civil aviation here.
Kyrill Budaev, vice president, IRKUT Corp, told reporters Thursday that they hope to sell 100 to 200 of this aircraft to India by 2025-30. At least 10 airlines visited the mockup of the cockpit and cabin Wednesday, the first day of the show.
“India is a strategic market for us. We have historic relations with India which connects us well,” he said.
During the last two years, the Russian firm bagged 235 orders for the narrow-body regional airliner that promises 10-percent lower operating costs compared to competitors in the 150-220 seat categories.
Budaev said comfort would be the key in MC-21, which is expected to have first flight in 2014 and certification and delivery in 2017.
The catalogue price of the aircraft will range from $68 million to $78 million depending on the configuration.
New composites and aerodynamics will reduce fuel consumption by 23 percent compared to the existing aircrafts in the same category.