**Aeroflot is on the verge of signing a landmark contract for 90 MC-21-310 narrowbody aircraft**, as reported by Russian media Kommersant. The deal, negotiated with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), is technically and legally ready, pending only a financing decision. This order would supplement an existing commitment for 18 MC-21s, bringing Aeroflot's total to over 100 units of the Russian-built jet. The MC-21-310 is powered by the PD-14 engine, a domestically developed powerplant that replaces earlier Western alternatives. While the aircraft offers a wider cabin than the Airbus A320 and composite wings, its range is slightly reduced and fuel consumption is higher compared to the original Western-component version. These trade-offs reflect the broader challenge of building a fully sovereign aviation industry under sanctions. **Aeroflot's long-term fleet plan envisions 108 MC-21s by 2030 and around 200 by 2033**, making the type the backbone of its medium-haul operations. This marks a strategic pivot from earlier ambitions that included larger numbers of the SJ-100 (Sukhoi Superjet 100) and Tu-214. The SJ-100 has been largely transferred to subsidiary Rossiya, while the Tu-214 faces production delays due to its older design and heavier structure. For ATPL and ATC students, this development underscores how geopolitical events directly impact airline fleet composition, maintenance practices, and operational planning. The shift to a domestically built fleet means future pilots and controllers may encounter aircraft types not covered in standard Western training syllabi. Understanding the MC-21's performance characteristics—such as its higher fuel burn and reduced range—becomes essential for flight planning and airspace management. **Aeroflot aims for 50% of its group fleet to be Russian-built by 2033-2035**, a goal driven by Western sanctions that have cut off access to new Airbus and Boeing deliveries, spare parts, and technical support. To keep its current Western fleet flying, Aeroflot has resorted to cannibalizing cargo aircraft and using parallel supply chains. This context highlights the critical importance of securing a domestic aircraft pipeline for both strategic and economic reasons.