Russian airframer Aviastar has rolled out the first of five Rolls-Royce RB211-powered Tupolev Tu-204-120C freighters ordered by Air China and China Eastern Airlines.
The Ulyanovsk-based manufacturer says the aircraft will enter service in September after undergoing a series of pre-delivery trials compliant with JAR 25 certification requirements. Delivery of the second freighter is due in December with the rest of the batch to follow next year.