The Russian government may intervene in a dispute between Russian manufacturer Aviastar and Tupolev Tu-204-120C development financier Sirocco Aerospace, as a shortage of working capital threatens to delay aircraft due for delivery to Chinese airlines next year.
The Chinese order for five of the Westernised -120Cs, equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 engines and US avionics, is part of a 25-aircraft order placed by London-based investor Sirocco last year. Under the agreement, Sirocco was to fund Aviastar's construction of the airframes in exchange for shares in Aviastar and Tupolev, but funds are being withheld amid a dispute between Aviastar shareholders. Ulyanovsk, Russia-based Aviastar only has enough funding to build two of the Chinese airframes.
Russia may guarantee loans from local and foreign banks, opening lines of credit to Aviastar to cover its work on the Chinese aircraft. Western components would remain Sirocco's responsibility. State support is being considered for Tupolev work on the English-language cockpit and manuals.
European certification of the -120 is expected to be further postponed to the end of 2004. Tupolev says its longer-range shrink Tu-204-300 will resume flight tests next month. The -300 test aircraft has completed only three flights since August, and a total of 100-120 flights are needed for Russian AP-25 certification.
The governments of Russia and Ukraine are to restart production of the An-124 Ruslan at Aviastar and Aviant, Kiev. Funding will include a two-crew cockpit and upgrades making the aircraft compatible with International Civil Aviation Organisation Chapter 4 noise regulations. The production standard could be an improved An-124-100M or higher-gross weight An-124-300 able to transport 150,000kg (330,000lb) over 8,100km (4,380nm).Source: Flight International
