Aircraft

Uzbekistan Airways has ordered three Ilyushin Il-76TD-90VD freighters from Tashkent-based TAPO. The Uzbeki airline is the second buyer for the type – equipped with new-generation Aviadvigatel PS-90A76 turbofans – behind Volga-Dnepr. The first Volga-Dnepr aircraft, flown for the first time earlier this month, made its debut at last week’s Moscow air show. Volga-Dnepr intends to start revenue services with the aircraft in May 2006 following completion of the flight-test programme. Volga-Dnepr has meanwhile signed a follow-on contract with Ilyushin-Finance for eight more Ilyushin Il-96-400T widebody freighters. The carrier committed to take two of the type at the Paris air show in June.