MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Under heavy pressure from Western sanctions and airspace bans, the Russian flag carrier Aeroflot plans to order 300 aircraft from the state-owned aircraft manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation. The airline is eyeing the medium-range MC-21-300, which can carry more than 200 passengers and is due to enter service this year. The aircraft is being developed by the UAC subsidiary Irkut Corporation.

The aircraft made its first flight on May 28, 2017, and intended to compete with its western counterparts Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 family jets. The MC-21-300 was certified by the Russian regulator Rosaviatsiya in December 2021.

At its annual meeting, Aeroflot also announced plans to raise up to 185.2 billion roubles ($3 billion) in an emergency share issue. The Russian carrier said shareholders  had approved the issuance of 5.42 billion new shares that could be bought at a price of 34.29 roubles each under an open subscription.