Aviastar-SP

CJSC Aviastar-SP

Company type	Closed joint-stock company
Industry	Aviation manufacturing
Predecessor	Ulyanovsk Aviation Industrial Complex
Founded	1976
Headquarters	Ulyanovsk , Russia
Key people	Sergey Konstantinovich Sheremetov (Managing Director, since 2020), V. V. Nikulin (Chairman of the Board of Directors)
Products	An-124 Ruslan, Il-76, Tu-204 series (excluding Tu-214), Il-76MD-90A, Il-78M-90A, components for MC-21, Il-112, Il-114-300
Owner	Russian Federation (1.25% capital contribution via United Aircraft Corporation in 2007)
Parent	United Aircraft Corporation

CJSC Aviastar-SP (Russian: «Авиастар-СП») is a Russian aviation manufacturing company headquartered in Ulyanovsk, established in 1976. Operating as a closed joint-stock company, it succeeded the former Soviet enterprise Ulyanovsk Aviation Industrial Complex. The facility produces the cargo airplanes An-124 Ruslan and Il-76 as well as the entire Tu-204 series, excluding the Tu-214 model.

History

Originally conceived in the early 1970s to develop a new generation of strategic bombers, the Ulyanovsk Aviation Production Complex was renamed Aviastar in November 1991 when it transitioned into a joint stock company. It is recognized as one of the largest aviation manufacturing plants globally and among the most modern in Russia.

The plant manufactures the long-range heavy transport aircraft An-124 and the medium-range airliner Tu-204, which accommodates around 200 passengers. The initial plan for Ulyanovsk included integrated production of airframes, avionics, and engines within a single complex; however, facilities for avionics and engine production were never finalized.

Additionally, the factory owns approximately 40,000 acres of farmland where it cultivated agricultural products for its workforce and commercial purposes during the early 1990s. In 2007, the Russian Federation contributed 1.25% of Aviastar-SP's capital to United Aircraft Corporation.

Operations

Aviastar-SP JSC collaborates with JSC IL and UAC-Transport Aircraft on manufacturing the Il-76MD-90A heavy transport plane, an upgraded variant of the Il-76. The redesigned aircraft features modernized wing and center section structures, reinforced landing gear, and enhanced engines. Its onboard electronic and navigation systems have been extensively updated with advanced digital technology.

The company is also producing the advanced Il-78M-90A tanker based on the IL-76 platform. The Russian Ministry of Defence intends to utilize this aircraft not only for aerial refueling but also for cargo transport and firefighting missions, marking it as a fundamentally new design.

Maintenance and comprehensive modernization services for the An-124 Ruslan are performed by Aviastar-SP JSC.

In addition, Aviastar-SP JSC contributes to the development of the medium-haul passenger aircraft MC-21. Its primary responsibilities include manufacturing assembly components such as wing roots and tail sections, along with hatches, doors, fuselage panels, F5 compartments, APU compartments, high-durability pipelines, and interior fittings.

Partnering with Voronezh Aviation Plant, Aviastar-SP JSC is involved in preparing production for the light transport aircraft Il-112, supplying fuselage compartment panels F-1 through F-3 as well as hatches and doors.

Furthermore, Aviastar-SP JSC participates in constructing the Il-114-300 regional aircraft by assembling fuselage panels—including skin sheets, stringers, frames, compensators—alongside hatches and doors at its facility.

Owners and Management

The executive leadership of UAPK—Aviastar has included the following individuals:

• Apollon Sergeevich Systsov (1975–1980) served as the inaugural General Director of UPAC;
• Fen Zagidovich Abdulin held the position from 1980 to 1985;
• Mikhail Prokofievich Pilnik led from 1986 until 1990;
• Viktor Vasilyevich Mikhailov was in charge between 1990 and 1997;
• Gennady Ivanovich Korotnev directed operations from 1997 through 2000;
• Yuri Viktorovich Ryazanov assumed leadership in 2001;
• Viktor Vasilyevich Mikhailov returned to management from 2001 to 2008;
• Mikhail Nikolaevich Shushpanov was at the helm from 2008 to 2010;
• Sergey Gennadievich Dementiev served as Managing Director from 2010 until 2016;
• Since March 2016, Andrey Anatolyevich Kapustin has held the role of Managing Director at Aviastar-SP;
• Beginning January 2017, Sergey Yurasov took over as Managing Director of Aviastar-SP;
• On May 3, 2018, Vasily Nikolaevich Dontsov was appointed Acting Managing Director of Aviastar-SP JSC;
• From September 2020 onwards, Sergey Konstantinovich Sheremetov has been Managing Director of Aviastar-SP JSC, with V. V. Nikulin serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

References

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