Russian airline Red Wings is set to tomorrow confirm at the Bahrain International Airshow that it is to become the launch customer for the latest version of the Tupolev Tu-204SM.
Red Wings is the biggest operator of the venerable Russian type, with eight examples, one of which - a Tu-204-100B - it is displaying at the show.
The Tu-204SM has an upgraded Aviadvigatel PS-90A2 engine as well as an extended cabin, allowing for 215 passengers, an additional five over the current version.
It also comes with a two-crew cockpit (with no need for a flight engineer) and an enhanced flight management system.
The airline remains the only customer for the latest version and expects to take first delivery at the end of this year, said the company.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
