MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LIÉGE
Russian airliner is candidate to meet the express package carrier's growth plans
Express package carrier TNT Express is finalising expansion plans for its European air network and hopes to decide on its long-running fleet evaluation by the end of this year. The Tupolev Tu-204 is among the candidates being evaluated, but any deal for the Russian twinjet would be conditional on it securing European Joint Aviation Authorities approval.
TNT serves 55 European airports each night from its air hub in Liége, Belgium, using 37 aircraft which provide a combined capacity of more than 600t. Of these, 70% are operated by in-house airline TNT Airways, with the remainder chartered from third parties.
Christian Drenthen, managing director of TNT Express's European air and road network, says the company plans to add direct services to 12 more European airports over the next three years, which will raise TNT's nightly capacity requirements to at least 700t.
TNT wet leases two 25t payload Rolls-Royce RB211-powered Tu-204-120Cs from Sirocco Aerospace/Air Cairo. Drenthen says the type is being evaluated along with the similar-capacity 757-200F and the smaller 16,500kg (36,300lb) payload Boeing 737-300F to slot into its fleet, between its 10t payload BAe 146QTs and 40t payload Airbus A300B4 freighters. Drenthen says there is "no clear strategy" for the airline's long-term fleet plan but "a decision will need to be taken in late 2003".
With its competitive payload capability and pricing, the Tu-204 is a strong contender, but Drenthen warns that "JAA approval is required for us to consider it seriously". This is scheduled for next year. He adds that the fall in market values of secondhand 737s and 757s since the fleet evaluation began several years ago could also hamper the prospects for the Russian aircraft at TNT.
Source: Flight International
