The newest Russian passenger aircraft MC-21-300 demonstrates significant progress in fuel economy, consuming half as much aviation kerosene compared to the Soviet airliner Tu-154M, which for a long time was the basis of the middle class of aviation in the USSR. This was reported in an interview with RIA Novosti by the General Director of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) Kirill Sypalo. According to him, solving the problem of fuel efficiency became one of the key tasks in the development of the MC-21-300, which makes it competitive not only in the domestic, but also in the international civil aviation market.

Sypalo noted that the reduction in fuel consumption was achieved through the use of advanced technologies, including composite materials in the wing and fuselage design, as well as modern PD-14 engines developed by the United Engine Corporation. These innovations made it possible to reduce the weight of the aircraft and improve its aerodynamic characteristics, which directly affects the efficiency of flights. Compared to the Tu-154M, which consumed about 5,5 tons of kerosene per hour, the MS-21-300 consumes about 2,5-3 tons, while maintaining a comparable capacity - up to 211 passengers in a single-class layout. This achievement, as the head of TsAGI emphasized, opens up new opportunities for Russian airlines, especially in the context of rising fuel prices and sanctions pressure.

The MC-21-300, created by Irkut Corporation (part of UAC), is positioned as a replacement for aging Soviet airliners and a competitor to Western models such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The development program, which began in the 2000s, faced a number of difficulties, including delays due to sanctions that affected the supply of foreign components. However, the transition to domestic analogues, including engines and avionics, allowed the project to reach the certification stage. The first production aircraft was delivered to Aeroflot in December 2024, and its commercial operation began in April 2025.