en.Wedoany.com Reported - Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg, Russia, will build dedicated maintenance infrastructure to support the operation of domestically produced MC-21 passenger aircraft. Local airline Ural Airlines plans to introduce this aircraft type into its fleet.

The airport operator, Airports of Regions, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ural Airlines regarding the construction of a specialized aircraft maintenance hangar. The facility is designed to provide airworthiness management and technical services for Russian-made passenger aircraft, including the MC-21.

The planned complex is expected to involve an investment of approximately 4 billion rubles and cover an area of about 15,000 square meters. The main hangar will account for roughly 8,000 square meters, with an additional 6,000 square meters allocated for storage and support facilities. The facility is scheduled to become operational between 2032 and 2033.

This project is part of Ural Airlines' preparations for introducing the MC-21. The company is considering an initial purchase of 10 aircraft of this type. CEO Kirill Skuratov stated that the airline is evaluating and finalizing contract details, and will assess further procurement options after receiving the first batch of aircraft.

Ural Airlines is one of Russia's largest regional carriers, currently operating a mixed fleet that includes Airbus A320 series aircraft and Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jets. As Russia seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign commercial aircraft, the planned introduction of the MC-21 will help the airline transition to domestically produced narrow-body aircraft.

The new maintenance facility will be part of a broader plan to develop technical infrastructure at Koltsovo Airport. The airport operator stated that the project aims to strengthen regional aviation capabilities and provide additional support for Russian aircraft operating from this hub.