Russia's New Il-96-400M Stretch Takes Its 1st Flight

Summary The IL-96-400M, a long-range widebody passenger aircraft manufactured by UAC, has successfully completed its maiden flight, demonstrating the competence of Russian aircraft manufacturers. The IL-96 project in Russia began in the 1980s, and despite facing commercial challenges, Russia continued to develop the IL-96-400 model with domestically produced electronic equipment and engines. Russia’s development of the IL-96-400 model continued internally even as they sought cooperation with China for a joint widebody aircraft project, which they later withdrew from in 2023. According to a report on the Russian government’s official website on November 1st, the prototype of the long-range widebody passenger…