China’s CATIC has signed a renewed Tupolev Tu-204-120C deal with Aviaexport, Aviastar, Sirocco and Tupolev, but first delivery of the delayed freighters will slip from November to mid-2006. Two Chinese carriers will take five freighters with Honeywell avionics and Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines.
Tupolev deputy general designer Oleg Alasheyev says a switch to Russian avionics and Aviadvigatel PS90A turbofans had been considered due to funding problems encountered by manufacturer Aviastar. He says under the new agreement the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will provide the bulk of the funding to complete the five airframes.
Source: Flight International
