Russia’s MAKS prepares for take-off, amid Covid concerns

Despite concerns about soaring Covid-19 rates in the Moscow region, Russia’s MAKS will become the first major air show to be held in the pandemic era when it begins on 20 July.<br/>The biennial, six-day event is a chance for the country to showcase its aerospace capabilities to international visitors – although the usual attendance is likely to be suppressed this year as a result of travel restrictions – as well as a large domestic audience, for whom Russia’s prowess in military and commercial aviation, as well as spaceflight, are a source of great national pride. While national exhibitors – from small technology companies and suppliers to the famous design bureaus that are now part of larger groups – occupy most of the space, MAKS also plays host to dozens of overseas manufacturers, which this year include Airbus, Boeing, Cirrus, De Havilland Canada, Safran, and Viking Air. A number of notable Russian aircraft will be appearing at the show this year, such as the Irkut MC-21-310, the version of the narrowbody powered by domestic Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines, as well as the Ilyushin Il-114-300 regional turboprop and Il-112V high-wing light military transport. Less well known, the Baikal Engineering LMS-901 is a utility aircraft designed to replace the Antonov An-2.<br/>