Paul Duffy/SHANNON
Aviastar Asia (AAC), the new joint venture set up in Taipei to market the Tupolev Tu-204 outside Russia, has now signed a contract for 20 aircraft, which is expected to be announced officially at Airshow China '96 at Zhuhai in November.
Singapore-registered AAC brings together South-East Asian financial institutions and Russian manufacturer Aviastar, and will pay deposits for the aircraft during October, with deliveries due to start towards the end of 1997 (Flight International, 7-13 August).
Six Tu-204s with Aviadvigatel/ Perm PS-90A engines will be delivered in 1997, with another 11 arriving in 1998, and the remaining three due by 1999. The aircraft in this batch are all to be funded by Tomen, the Japanese financial giant. AAC confirms that CITIC, the politically influential Chinese overseas investment body is also to become a shareholder. Potential lessees of the aircraft are yet to be revealed, although Aviastar is targeting traditional Russian-airliner markets, such as Africa and Asia.
Aviastar says that agreements have been signed with Rockwell- Collins and Litton to provide Western avionics for the Tu-204s, while United Interiors has signed a $7 million contract to provide new cabins.
Production at Aviastar is halted, as guarantees are sought from the Government to fund the completion of additional aircraft. Aviastar has completed four Tu-204s, and one of the first short-fuselage Tu-234s, which has yet to receive engines. A further 18 Tu-204s are in various stages of completion on the assembly line.
Source: Flight International
