Sibir Airlines is discussing the lease of three Tupolev Tu-214s as it seeks to update its fleet.
The Aviadvigatel PS-90A-powered Tu-214, also dubbed the Tu-204-200, is the increased gross weight version of the Russian twinjet produced by the Gorbunov KAPO production plant of Kazan. Production of the Tupolev designed twinjet is also undertaken by Aviastar at its plant in Ulyanovsk.
According to Sibir general director Vladislav Filev, the airline is negotiating the lease deal with the Avia leasing company, which has been set up by PS-90 engine builder Perm. The proposed deal will be supported financially by the regional governments of Novosibirsk region, where Sibir is based, and the Perm region and the republic of Tatarstan, where the engines and the aircraft are being produced. The local government plans to acquire two Tu-214s for local carrier Tatarstan Airlines.
Tatarstan plans to spend 400 million roubles ($15.7 million) next year to cover the launch of the leasing programme, and is also providing 25 million roubles to help fund the certification programme, due to be completed by the end of the year. Seven Tu-214 airframes are in various stages of completion at KAPO. Components for 11 more are being manufactured.
Source: Flight International
