Paul Duffy/MOSCOW
Transaero has begun its fleet upgrade programme with the recent delivery of the Russian airline's first Boeing 767-300ER and 737-700 on lease.
The 767, leased from International Lease Finance, has entered service on the private airline's Moscow-Tel Aviv service, and will be used on shorter routes to build the operational experience required to gain extended range twin-engined operations approval for transatlantic routes. The 767 acquisition will allow Transaero to return one of its three ex-American Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s to lessor AGES. A second leased 767 will arrive in "late 1998".
Transaero has extended its agreement with Israel Aircraft Industries to provide line maintenance, support and technical training for the 767 as well as the 737-700 and its CFM International CFM56 powerplant.
IAI had already assisted Transaero in gaining its FAR 145 approval for the DC-10-30 last December and will now assist in preparing to have the 767certificated. As part of the process, Transaero's board has now approved plans to build the airline's first hangar, at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport.
Source: Flight International
