TNT is to introduce the first of two Rolls-Royce RB211-powered Tupolev Tu-204-120Cs on its European network, following UK Civil Aviation Authority approval of the type for operation by HeavyLift Cargo Airlines.
The CAA clearance came last month following an audit of Egyptian airline Air Cairo, which will supply the aircraft (via its associated leasing company Sirocco Aerospace) and crews, and the Aviastar maintenance facility at Ulyanovsk, Russia, which provides technical support for the type. A factor in the UK approval is the continuing Joint Aviation Authorities certification programme for the Tu-204-120C.
TNT is due to receive the first of two Tu-204-120Cs from Sirocco on 23 February, with the second arriving on 20 May - both on five-year leases. The aircraft will be flown on HeavyLift's air operator certificate, making it the first European operator of the RB211-powered Tu-204. TNT, which has a single PermPS-90A-powered Tu-204-100C on wet-lease, will operate the aircraft from its hub in Liège, Belgium, into noise-sensitive areas of Western Europe. The express-package specialist will use the aircraft partly to replace its Boeing 727-200Fs, the last three of which will be phased out by June.
The two aircraft are new examples (serial numbers 64029 and 64033) originally ordered by Air Cairo. The Egyptian airline will provide its own freighter at the start of the lease on an interim basis.
Aviastar has appointed Viktor Mikhailov as general director of its production factory. Mikhailov had served in this position until 1996, and his appointment is seen as a positive step in restoring the factory to full production.Source: Flight International
