OREANDA-NEWS  On 11 December was announced, that Transaero Airlines taken delivery of its second Tupolev 214 mid range passenger aircraft. This transfer is a part of a contract between Transaero and Financial Leasing Company (FLC) for ten Tupolev 214 aircraft.

The second Tupolev 214 is scheduled to enter operations in early 2009. The new aircraft will be used on Transaero medium haul routes, including Spain, Egypt Emirates and Uzbekistan.

Following its fleet development strategy focused on acquisition of long haul and medium haul aircraft Transaero will continue to enlarge its fleet over the next few years with several more Tupolev 214s, Boeing 747-400s and Boeing 777s.

“Currently Transaero is one of the largest customers for the new Russian built aircraft and is strongly committed to this contract. Transaero is fully equipped with the resources for the successful and effective operation of the Tupolev 214, including qualified flight personnel, ground crews and an enhanced international network,” said Olga Pleshakova, Transaero Airlines General Director. “It is hoped that in the near future the Russian government will consider increasing the federal budgetary compensation for lease payments paid on new Russian built aircraft up to 75% of the due [to be reimbursed].”

Ms Pleshakova also added, “The first Tupolev 214 aircraft added to Transaero’s fleet last year has demonstrated a high level of fuel efficiency. Its extended range also makes this type of aircraft very effective on certain routes. Even so, I believe that improved component maintenance cycles and adapting best international practice standards for inter-repair period will increase the competitive capacity of this Russian aircraft even more.”

The new Tupolev 214, built at the Gorbunov Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO) in Russia according to Transaero specifications, a reengineered version of the Tupolev 204, represents a new generation of Russian aircraft with an extended range of 7,200 km and seating capacity for 184 passengers. It is powered by two Russian PS-90A engines, with a cruising speed of approximately 820 km/h. Each aircraft comes with 8 business class seats in a 2-2 configuration and 186 economy class seats in rows of three on either side of the aisle. The first Tupolev 214 entered Transaero’s fleet in April, 2007.

Currently Transaero operates a fleet of 41 aircraft – eleven Boeing 747s, two Boeing 777s, eleven Boeing 767s, fifteen Boeing 737s and two Tupolev 214s. With 24 long-haul aircraft and a total combined long haul seating capacity of more than 8,500, Transaero has the largest fleet of long range jetliners of any Russian airline today.