Paul Duffy/SHANNON
THE NEWLY formed Russian Aviation Consortium has called for the resignation of transport minister Vitali Yefimov following his opposition to the grant of state funding for Tupolev Tu-204 production. A new plan to fund Tu-204 sales is also proposed.
The consortium, which won presidential approval earlier this year (Flight International, 14-20 June), brings together the Tupolev design bureau, engine manufacturer Perm and the Aviastar production plant, together with the Tu-204's major potential customer, Aeroflot-Russian International Airlines (ARIA).
The call for Yefimov's dismissal has also had repercussions within ARIA, with reports about the possible replacement of Vladimir Tikhonov as director-general at the airline. The possible replacement of Tikhonov, who reports to the transport minister, is being played down by ARIA as "unlikely" and "premature", however.
The consortium has confirmed that there are 13 firm orders for Tu-204s from CIS carriers: five for Tyumen Aviatrans, two for Donavia and six for ARIA, although three are ex-Oriol Avia aircraft.
The status of "268 soft orders", previously reported by Aviastar remains unclear, but "protocols of intention to buy" are understood to have been signed by some airlines.
The consortium says that plans to form a Russian Government leasing company have been delayed by lack of action on necessary changes to existing legislation. Instead, the consortium is proposing that the Tu-204 would be sold to CIS airlines at a price of $22 million, with a spare Perm PS-90A engine provided. An up-front payment of $4-10 million would be required, with the rest spread over five years.
ARIA has underlined hopes of the beginnings of a recovery in 1995 with first-half figures showing a slight rise in passenger numbers to 1.5 million. Operating profits are being put at 300 billion roubles ($40 million) for the half, giving a margin of 12%, slightly down on the first half of 1994.
Source: Flight International
