Two Russian carriers, S7 Airlines and Avialinii 400, are in discussions to acquire the new version of the Tupolev Tu-204, the SM, with deals for a total of 35 aircraft being touted, writesDavid Kaminski-Morrow.
The newly developed version of the twinjet will offer improved performance and could be powered by the International Aero Engines V2500. Siberia's S7, which has agreed a memorandum of understanding with lessor Ilyushin-Finance for 15 Tu-204SMs, has not specified the engines it has selected, although the carrier's commercial director Anton Yeremin says: "With the new engines the aircraft will be more efficient than the baseline version. It will allow substantial savings in fuel consumption."
Previous versions of the Tu-204 have been equipped with Russian Aviadvigatel PS-90 engines as well as Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines.
Under the proposed deal, S7 Airlines would take delivery of the first five aircraft in 2009, another five in 2010 and the remainder by 2012.
Avialinii 400, meanwhile, has submitted a request for 20 Tu-204SMs for delivery from 2009. The airline, affiliated with Germany's Blue Wings, is being reorganised into a low-cost operator and expects to receive its first Tu-204-100 later this year.
In addition to using more efficient engines, the Tu-204SM would have a reduced operating weight. Maximum range with full payload would be around 3,600km (1,950nm).
Source: Flight International
