DIAMONITE HAS delivered its 26th interior refurbishment of a Russian aircraft. The latest refit, a Tupolev Tu-134A, was sent to Moscow on 12 June. The aircraft is for a major Russian bank and is managed by the Kasparov Consultancy.
Kasparov, owned by former world chess champion Gary Kasparov, is involved in a venture at Vnukava Airport No 3, near Moscow, where a new terminal is being completed to Western standards. The consultancy hopes to offer Western companies working in Russia a charter service not available elsewhere.
David Cox, managing director of Diamonite, says that it is the most comprehensive project it has handled to date. The 28-seat aircraft has three cabins, with four-seat divans, and each cabin can sleep two people. Bristol-based Diamonite has been operating in Russia since 1990, and has a working agreement with the Tupolev design bureau, which verifies and approves the designs.
Since 1994, the company has also established close ties with Aviastar of Ulyanovsk.
Aviastar is a producer of the 208-passenger Tu-204, along with the Antonov An-124. Diamonite provides installation kits for fitting by Aviastar. Interior kit designs are available for the Tu-134, the Tupolev Tu-154 and the Yakovlev Yak-40 and Yak-42.
Western interiors are proving popular in Russia. Refurbishments of two Tu-154s have been completed in Mineralavody, and a Tu-134 VIP conversion has been finalised for GPA in Germany, destined for the president of Ukraine. Diamonite is also discussing the conversion of five Yak-40s.
Source: Flight International
