Siberian carrier Tyumenaviatrans has initiated a lawsuit against Samara-based production plant Aviacor for failing to deliver five Tupolev Tu-154Ms ordered in 1995.
The Tu-154Ms should have been delivered between April 1996 and late 1998. Payment was made by Tyumenaviatrans for three aircraft through a $15 million debt receipt to the Samara Energo electricity supplier. Aviacor delivered a single Tu-154M in September 1998, which was fitted with second hand, overhauled Soloviev D-30KU engines, rather than new units as specified in the contract. Tyumenaviatrans is now demanding $48 million from Aviacor, and may go for the production plant's property to recover this sum.
Tyumenaviatrans, which operates a fleet of over 50 aircraft including six Tu-154Ms, has offered to settle the dispute by paying Aviacor $500,000 in return for the delivery of two more aircraft, but the manufacturer considers this to be unfair. A court hearing will be held this month.
Aviacor has ceased Tu-154 production though it has enough components to complete 10 more.
Source: Flight International
