Kavminvodyavia agrees to partally fund completion (200 words)

Published: 12/21/2000

According to Lev Lanovsky. the Chief Designer of OAO Tupolev, Kavminvodyavia has become the first Russian airline to order a 160-seat Tu-234 from Aviastar. The aircraft's completion will be partially financed by the carrier. The designer and producer are reported to have concluded a deal with suppliers to delay payment until the aircraft has been tested and delivered to the customer, which will be after its maiden flight in April 2001. Back in March 2000, Tupolev announced its intention of flying the 160-seat twinjet developed from the Tu-204, which was designed to replace the ageing Il-62 on long routes and is sometimes known as the Tu-204-300. The flight of the prototype, powered by PS-90s, has been delayed ever since the aircraft was converted from a Tu-204-100 frame and rolled out in 1995. The design bureau originally claimed that the flight would take place in the middle of 2000. A second Tu-324, minus engines, is reported to have been in storage at Aviastar since its rollout in mid-1996. Given the aircraft's close relation to the Tu-204-100, (it is 40.2m compared to the Tu-204's 46.1m), it seems likely that the aircraft will require a relatively short certification process. Tupolev estimates that 50 hours of testing will be required.

Article ID: 2260