What does it take to sell a Russian jet to a Russian airline? A cockpit that doesn’t need a three-person crew, but the Tu-214‘s manufacturer can’t promise that.

A potential deal between S7 Airlines and the State Transport Leasing Company for up to 100 Tu-214 jets is at risk of falling through or being reduced due to concerns about the aircraft's cockpit design. The Tu-214's manufacturer has not guaranteed that the cockpit will operate efficiently with just two crew members, unlike the industry norm that often requires three. This issue highlights the challenges in modernizing Russian aviation equipment to meet international standards, which could have broader implications for Russia's ability to compete in the global airline market.