For the third time in a row, one of the largest aerospace exhibitions has been canceled in Russia
3 June 20:54
The International Aviation and Space Show (MAKS), which was to be held in the summer of 2025 in Zhukovsky near Moscow, has been canceled again. This was reported by Interfax news agency, citing sources familiar with the situation, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Thus, Russia’s largest aviation event will not take place for the third year in a row. It was canceled for the first time in 2023 amid a full-scale war against Ukraine and tough international sanctions.
The reason for the cancellation was again cited as security concerns. At the same time, experts attribute this decision to the general crisis in the Russian aviation industry, which is under pressure from sanctions and technical isolation.
Promises did not come off the assembly line
After the outbreak of the war, the Russian authorities promised an ambitious “revival” of the aircraft industry: in particular, they stated that by 2030, the fleet of Russian airlines would have more than 1,000 domestic aircraft. It was planned that civilian aircraft production would reach the level of the Soviet era.
However, in three years, only five airplanes left Russian factories-three Tu-214s and two Il-96-300s. The promising models MS-21 and SJ-100 remain only projects whose implementation is constantly postponed.
In early 2025, the Russian government admitted that by 2030 it would be able to provide only 50% of the carrier fleet with domestic equipment instead of the previously planned 80%. Large-scale production was postponed to 2027-2028.
MAKS without partners
Foreign partners have long distanced themselves from participating in the Russian air show. In particular, after 2022, the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing, Airbus, and others, announced their refusal.
MAKS has been held since 1993 and was considered the main platform for demonstrating the achievements of the Russian aerospace industry. Cancellation of the event for the third year in a row actually indicates a deep crisis in the industry, which is unable to ensure safety or show the promised results.
