MOSCOW, October 31 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation is to open a new facility for the production of composite wings for the new MS-21 passenger jet by the end of the year, the company said Thursday.

Construction of the 250 million ruble ($7.8 million) facility in the Volga city of Ulyanovsk began in November 2011.

The facility at the Ulyanovsk-based Aviastar-SP is being built by AeroKompozit company, co-owned by the Sukhoi holding (26 percent) and United Aircraft (74 percent).

The MS-21 is designed to carry between 150 and 212 passengers and is expected to make its maiden flight in 2015 with first deliveries due to begin in 2017.