Transaero mulls Superjets, MS-21s
Tom Zaitsev, Moscow (21Jul08, 16:19 GMT, 297 words)
Russian airline Transaero is exploring an opportunity of converting its outstanding commitment to acquire nine Tupolev Tu-214s into an order for Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jets or the prospective MS-21 aircraft.
In May 2007 Transaero received a brand-new Tu-214 from airframer KAPO as the first of 10 models which it ordered under an investment agreement with the government.
The carrier's CEO Olga Pleshakova says the aircraft performs well from an operational standpoint. “Certainly, we want more of them and will meet our commitments. But chances of the Tu-214 becoming available soon are slim while we need to enhance our capacity now.”
To solve the situation, Transaero is hoping it will be able to convert the remaining Tu-214 deliveries retroactively into additional orders for Superjets and/or MS-21s.
Pleshakova believes both types could fit in the carrier’s domestic short-to-medium range network that is currently served by 15 leased Boeing 737 classic models.
“We’re particularly looking at the Superjet as it is shaping up as a viable option,” she says. “We’re discussing [with Sukhoi] between five and 10 aircraft which will be needed in about 2012.”
As part of its deal with the government, Transaero secured a tax waiver covering 13 leased Boeing aircraft as long as it agreed to acquire Tupolev models with their manufacturer promising to deliver all of them before 2008.
The remaining nine Tu-214s, however, are still pending and KAPO gives no clarity on the delivery schedule which is apparently stalled over its production problems. “Our order for these aircraft should have been suspended until the underlying infrastructure and logistics are in place there,” says Pleshakova.
In the first six months, Transaero posted a 56% traffic growth to more than 2 million passengers. Last year it transported 3,24 million and became the fourth largest Russian airline.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news