Russia’s MC-21 Airliner Receives First International Contract

Egyptian KATO and Irkut have signed a purchasing agreement on 6 MC-21 short/mid-range airliners.

Both the companies also agreed to co-operate on the MC-21 short/mid-range airliner project, Irkut said in a statement Monday.

At the Dubai Airshow-2015 the head of the Egyptian holding KATO Investment Dr. Ibrahim Kamel and President of Irkut Corporation Oleg Demchenko agreed to develop cooperation on the MC-21 project.

Purchasing agreement on 6 MC-21 aircraft by the Cairo Aviation airline (an affiliate of the KATO Investment) has been signed within the cooperation programme. The agreement also envisages an option for 4 MC-21.

At the initiative of Dr. Kamel the parties consider an opportunity of establishing a Regional MRO Center for the MC-21 near the Al Alamain International Airport situated 184 km away from Cairo. KATO Investment has intentions to voluntarily render adjacent to the airport area for functional facilities. The Center will provide additional provisions for promotion of the MC-21 to countries of the region.

KATO Investment is the prominent private investment holding with a diversified business in Egypt and abroad. The holding specializes on manufacturing of consumer goods, agriculture, tourism, air transport, airport operation. More than 20 high profile companies are incorporated to KATO Investment. Cairo Aviation airline is operating Russian aircraft of the Tu-204 family.

Irkut Corporation (a UAC member) is the head contractor on implementing the project of the MC-21 short/mid-range airliner. The aircraft is developed by the A.S. Yakovlev Engineering Centre, the major engineering division of Irkut Corporation. The first MC-21 aircraft are being constructed at the production plant in Irkutsk city to perform flight and stress tests.