Russian carrier Ural Airlines had held initial discussions with Boeing on acquiring 787s or 767s for its long-haul fleet, although the airline has also looked at the Airbus A330.
Ural Airlines primarily operates Ilyushin Il-86s and Tupolev Tu-154s but started introducing Western-built types into its fleet following an agreement to take Airbus A320s.
The widebody Il-86 has been a popular aircraft for Russian charter operators but the type has faced increasing restrictions over noise.
Ural Airlines says it has had preliminary talks with Boeing over a successor, adding that a longer-range type would enable the tour operators to offer additional destinations in the USA and the Caribbean.
It states that it has considered the A330 but that a firm agreement has been “postponed” in order for the Ekaterinburg-based carrier to examine alternatives.
“We will announce a final decision after additional [assessment] of the economic sense of acquiring one type or the other,” says the carrier.
Ural Airlines says it intends to replace its long-haul fleet over the next 10-12 years.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: Flight International
