North Korean interest in the Tu-214 along with deliveries of additional Tu-204s

Published: 5/11/1999

According to Mr Lev Lanovsky, chief designer for the Tu-204 at Tupolev, an official state delegation from North Korea visited Russia recently to look at the possible acquisitions of Tu-214 twin-jet passenger plane for the national airline. The Tu-214 is a modified combi version of the Tu-204-200, but with the higher take-off weight of 110 tonnes compared to 103 tonnes. The funding, by North Korea, of any purchase was not discussed. Mr Lanovsky also confirmed that two Russian carriers: Trans European Airlines, a little-known charter carrier out of Moscow, and KrasAir, have reached agreement with Aviastar factory in Ulianovsk on deliveries of Tu-204 aircraft. The factory has recently completed construction of the RA94018 and already painted it in Trans European Airlines" colours. KrasAir intends to take the RA94019 and RA94020, which are ready except for some onboard equipment. Mr Lanovsky said that the two airframes could be delivered to the customer in June or July 1999, provided that KrasAir finds the money to make initial payment for these aircraft. The money is required to pay Aviastar subcontractors for the components required for completion. He added that, under agreement with KATO Aromatic group of Egypt, Aviastar has delivered three Rolls-Royce-powered Tu-204s to Cairo Air airline. Two passenger and one cargo aircraft are reported actively to be flying charters on Egyptian domestic and international routes, including routes to Western Europe. Meanwhile, Tupolev and KATO Aromatic are continuing to work with the JAA on the certification of the RR-powered version of the Tu-204, in order to meet the JAR-25 airworthiness requirement. After the certification of this version, Tupolev will try to certify the basic version of the Tu-204, powered by Perm Motors PS-90A engines. Mr Valery Okulov, General Director of Aeroflot, said that his negotiations with the KAPO factory have stalled, owing to the difficulties in the Russian banking sector. Before the August 1998 crisis, Aeroflot, KAPO and Menatep bank of Moscow had agreed in general on a financial leasing scheme. Mr Okulov had previously announced that the airline was going to take four Tu-214s, preferably with Pratt & Whitney engines in place of Perm Motors PS-90As. In May 1999, however, he told Concise that a PS-90-powered version with extended range was preferred, in order to replace ageing Ilyushin Il-62s on long-range inner CIS routes. The previous leasing arrangements are “no longer acceptable" according to Mr Okulov, who added that the aircraft should be built on new terms, so reflecting the current financial situation in Russia.

Article ID: 509