Flight International online news 12:30GMT: Russian authorities have declared that Ilyushin Il-96-300 aircraft can return to service following August’s grounding of the type, after enforcing measures to improve safety.
Federal air transport supervision chief Alexander Neradko has lifted the ban imposed after concerns about the type’s braking systems.
Five Russian operators – Aeroflot, KrasAir, Domodedovo Airlines, Rossiya and Atlant-Souyz – together have 14 Il-96-300s.
Manufacturers and suppliers have drawn up a two-tier package of measures to eliminate deficiencies on the type. Federal industry agency chief Boris Alyoshin says there are 28 points in a to-do list compiled by a joint inspection team.
“Of those, 11 problems which are of critical importance have already been resolved while the rest could be settled eventually,” says Alyoshin.
Brake system components on all Il-96-300s have undergone a thorough check-up and overhaul using new parts, he says
Aeroflot, Domodedovo Airlines and KrasAir, which have six, three and two Il-96-300s respectively, claim to have suffered substantial losses after the carriers were forced to stop using the type
TOM ZAITSEV/MOSCOW
Tom Zaitsev, Moscow
Source: Flight International
