New sales prospects have emerged for the Tupolev Tu-204 twinjet and its longer-range sister, the Tu-214, in Europe and the Middle East.
Iran Air is reported to have selected the Tu-204 over Airbus offerings for its fleet renewal. Khahbibulla Ismailzade, chairman of Iran's parliamentary commission for development, says Iran will be buying Tu-204s following the failure to come to terms with Airbus for the purchase of up to 60 aircraft.
Bulgarian carriers Air Sofia and BH Air have signed a letter of intent for four Tu-214s, which unlike the Aviastar-built Tu-204 is produced by the KAPO plant in Kazan, Tatarstan. Bulgarian charter operator Air Via has also expressed interest in replacing its Tupolev Tu-154Ms with Tu-214s. Tupolev says the carrier can take three Tu-214s by 2006, and potentially up to 10.
So far, KAPO has only secured Russian customers for the Tu-214. Omsk Airlines is the latest, having recently finalised terms with KAPO for four Tu-214s that it ordered in August. Deliveries will start in early 2005. KAPO aims to build 10 Tu-214s a year once production stabilises.
Source: Flight International
