Iran Air is to begin a partial modernisation programme of its own fleet and subsidiary Iran Air Tours (IAT) using new-generation Russian aircraft. Five Tupolev Tu-204-100s will be acquired for IAT, while two Ilyushin Il-96-300s will be taken on short-term lease for the airline’s mainline fleet, which could potentially lead to an order for four aircraft, writes Tom Zaitsev.
The Tu-204 deal has been disclosed by Moscow-based lessor Ilyushin Finance (IFC), which says that the firm contract will be signed by 15 December with the deal also including five options.
Iran Air expects the five firmly ordered twinjets to be delivered to IAT in the second half of 2008 at a rate of one aircraft per month. IAT’s current fleet comprises 12 Tupolev Tu-154Ms.
“In contrast to our previous deals, this contract will not have backing from the government in the form of export credit guarantees,” says IFC director Alexander Rubtsov, referring to a string of agreements recently signed by the company with Cuba, Syria and Zimbabwe on the supply of Tu-204s and Il-96s.
Meanwhile, Rubtsov says Iran Air will take two Il-96-300s on short-term leases on from Russia’s KrasAir in October.
“We’ve agreed that Iran Air will use these aircraft on a trial basis for up to one year,” he says, adding: “If they meet its operational requirements, the company will consider placing an order for a batch of three or four aircraft.”
Rubtsov adds the airline has also displayed a keen interest in the Sukhoi Superjet 100 and wants to take an in-depth look at the type closer to its roll-out in 2008.
Source: Flight International
