Ulyanovsk has unveiled an ambitious new aviation initiative: by 2030, the region intends to assemble its first fuel-efficient, 60-seat civilian aircraft. The statement was made directly by Governor Alexey Russkikh during a working meeting with regional officials. Although the governor disclosed the planned capacity of the aircraft and the proposed schedule, he refrained from providing any technical details such as the design, range, speed, or operational parameters. What is evident, however, is that the project will be included in the expanding Aurus-Aero initiative and will be closely associated with ongoing efforts to revitalize Russian domestic aviation.
The future aircraft is expected to be produced within the Ulyanovsk Port Special Economic Zone, a site already known for its heritage in aeronautical manufacturing. Media agencies have also reported that this innovative civilian aircraft concept is associated with a broader initiative to resume the manufacture of business jets based on the long-explored but never-manufactured Tu-324 platform. Although official confirmation of this connection remains unclear, the similarities between the Aurus-Aero direction and the Tu-324 legacy imply that the future 60-seat model may indeed draw from or develop from previous design initiatives.
From Tu-324 to Aurus-Aero: An Ongoing Revival
The Tu-324 project initially originated in the late 1990s as one of several proposed replacements for aging regional aircraft such as the Tu-134 and the Yak-40. At that time, it was conceived as a versatile family of aircraft, featuring a standard configuration of approximately 50 to 70 seats, depending on the variant. Plans were in place for a standard medium-range model, a stretched variant with enhanced capacity and extended range, and an even longer-distance VIP modification capable of covering several thousand kilometers. Despite its ambitious scope and comparatively modern design philosophy for its era, the Tu-324 was never produced on a mass scale. Funding challenges, evolving industrial priorities, and substantial post-Soviet economic obstacles ultimately prevented the aircraft from transitioning from concept to operation.
Interest in the concept has reemerged only recently, fueled by a combination of geopolitical considerations and Russia’s emphasis on import substitution. A significant turning point occurred when a subsidiary of Gazprom obtained a controlling interest in Aurus-Aero. This action not only provided substantial financial support to the company but also realigned Aurus-Aero’s strategic objectives. The company evolved from a luxury vehicle and helicopter brand into a comprehensive aviation enterprise responsible for the development of new business jets and, ultimately, regional passenger aircraft. With this structural foundation, the intellectual heritage of the Tu-324 was promptly restored to relevance. Several of its foundational design principles, particularly its appropriateness for regional routes and moderate passenger capacities, correspond closely with contemporary requirements for cost-effective, short- to medium-range aviation.
This is the context in which Ulyanovsk’s 60-seat undertaking is emerging—a juncture where previous design expertise intersects with emerging technological and economic factors.
What Is Known and What Still Remains Uncertain
Although the governor’s announcement has generated significant interest, numerous details regarding the aircraft remain undisclosed. The confirmed details are restricted to the aircraft’s estimated seating capacity and its inclusion within the Aurus-Aero project framework. Manufacturing is anticipated to take place within the Ulyanovsk Port Special Economic Zone, a location already involved in the development of aviation-related industries.
Initial reports indicate that the new aircraft might be equipped with PD-8 engines. These domestically manufactured turbofan engines were initially designed for the latest iteration of the Superjet regional aircraft, designated as the SJ-100, and have also been incorporated into the upgraded Be-200 amphibious aircraft. Their effective development is regarded as a significant milestone in Russia’s continued transition away from reliance on foreign aviation technologies. If the PD-8 is indeed chosen for the 60-seat aircraft, it would position the new model firmly within the nation’s wider initiative of technological self-sufficiency.
Nevertheless, essential technical details continue to be either unavailable or undisclosed. There remains uncertainty regarding whether the aircraft will be a modernized derivative of the Tu-324, a significantly enhanced new design loosely based on its antecedent, or an entirely new clean-sheet aircraft. Similarly, no details have been supplied concerning the range, cruising speed, avionics suite, cabin configuration, certification plan, or designated operational environment. Even preliminary assessments of market positioning are currently speculative. The gaps indicate that the aircraft may still be in an initial conceptual or design feasibility stage.
A Strategic Imperative for Regional Connectivity
The timing of the announcement signifies wider developments within Russia’s aviation industry. Sanctions have markedly restricted access to Western aircraft models, spare parts, and components, thereby intensifying the focus on domestic aircraft development. The regional aviation sector has been specifically recognized as a priority, given that numerous regions within the country experience limited air connectivity. Small and mid-sized aircraft are vital for connecting remote areas, and the 60-seat capacity achieves an optimal equilibrium between operational efficiency and route versatility.
The choice to manufacture the aircraft in Ulyanovsk capitalizes on the region’s extensive aviation heritage. Ulyanovsk is home to numerous industrial and educational establishments related to aviation, including one of the nation’s leading aircraft assembly factories. The current infrastructure and engineering expertise confer a distinctive advantage to the region in executing a project of this magnitude. The designation of the Special Economic Zone additionally enhances the project by offering advantageous conditions such as tax benefits and streamlined import regulations for manufacturing equipment.
Furthermore, the substantial participation of a significant state-affiliated company offers financial and institutional backing that such projects frequently lacked in earlier decades. This support diminishes the probability of the initiative being discontinued during development, a fate that befell numerous earlier regional aircraft concepts.
Challenges and Potential Risks Ahead
Despite strong support, the initiative encounters significant obstacles. Creating a new aircraft necessitates not only engineering proficiency but also a resilient supply chain, up-to-date certification standards, sustained investment, and demonstrated market demand. Although the PD-8 engine presents a promising domestic solution, its integration into a redesigned or newly developed airframe remains a complex undertaking. Certification requirements have become considerably more rigorous since the initial conception of the Tu-324. This indicates that, even when drawing from previous designs, the aircraft will necessitate significant modernization.
Market acceptability constitutes another major hurdle. Airlines will require assurances concerning the aircraft’s operating expenses, fuel efficiency, dependability, maintenance support, and long-term serviceability. For regional carriers to commit to procurement, they must have assurance that spare parts and service centers will be accessible for decades, not only during the early stages of the program. The economic viability of developing such a support ecosystem remains an unresolved issue.
There is also the issue of financial viability. The development of a new regional aircraft may require investments amounting to tens of billions of rubles, contingent upon the extent of redesign and certification processes. Although Aurus-Aero now benefits from stronger support than previously, the company’s financial performance in recent years has prompted concerns. For the project to achieve success, sustained and substantial investment will be required over many years, encompassing prototype development, flight testing, and subsequent serial production.
The Path Toward 2030: Key Developments to Monitor
Going forward, several developments will signify whether the project is advancing toward its ambitious 2030 goal. An initial indication will be the publication of official design documentation, encompassing conceptual renderings, technical schematics, or even wind-tunnel models. The choice of materials, structural arrangement, and compartment layout will demonstrate the extent to which the aircraft aligns with the Tu-324 legacy or signifies an innovative approach.
An additional important milestone will be the development of a prototype. Once a prototype has been developed, ground testing will commence, followed by eventual flight testing. These stages are frequently extensive, as aircraft are required to demonstrate safety, reliability, and compliance with rigorous regulatory standards. The certification timeline will also be of significant importance. To achieve the project’s 2030 objective, the start of prototype development and testing would probably need to commence within the upcoming few years.
Airline interest will function as a significant indicator of the aircraft’s long-term viability. If regional carriers demonstrate a propensity to pilot or acquire the model, it would indicate confidence in both the aircraft and the underlying industrial infrastructure. Conversely, hesitation or reticence on the part of operators may indicate persistent concerns regarding feasibility and expenses.
Conclusion: Where Aspiration Aligns with Reality
Ulyanovsk’s initiative to develop a new 60-seat civilian aircraft by 2030 embodies a combination of national strategic objectives, industrial resurgence, and aspirations within the aviation sector. The initiative is motivated by the overall goal of restoring self-sufficiency in civil aviation and reestablishing regional air connectivity throughout Russia. With the resurgence of design concepts redolent of the Tu-324 and the inclusion of domestically manufactured engines, the initiative integrates historical expertise with contemporary industrial policy.
Simultaneously, the project entails inherent uncertainties. Numerous technical details remain undisclosed, and large-scale advancements in aviation are well known for their complexity and significant resource requirements. Success will rely on sustained funding, robust engineering implementation, prompt certification, and genuine market demand from airlines.
If all these factors are favorable, the 60-seat aircraft assembled in Ulyanovsk could represent a major milestone in the contemporary history of Russian regional aviation.