MAKS – 2005 |
MAKS – 2005 revived An-124-100
Ruslan, the world largest freighter. Volga-Dnepr and Polet Airlines signed a
preliminary agreement with Ulyanovsk Aviastar-SP factory for the construction of
ten An-124-100M-150s, five airliners for each company. The deliveries are to
start in 2008. Ruslan was designed by Antonov ANTK in the 80-s and it still has
no analogues in the world. At present there are 56 such aircraft in all.
Volga-Dnepr is planning to purchase eight Il-96-400T freighters in addition to
Ruslan. The company signed a relevant protocol of intentions with Ilyushin
Finance Co leasing company.
Atlant-Souz airline is also interested in Ruslan. But unlike
its rivals, it agreed with Aviastar-SP on modernization of four An-124-100s.
From new airliners Atlant Administration chose Tu-204C freighters and entrusted
Ulyanovsk plant with their construction. The first modernized An-124-100 and the
first of the two ordered Tu-204Cs are due to delivery in 2006.
The total value of the deals signed by Ilyushin Finance Co
amounts to $1,6 blrd. According to Andrey Lipovetsky, Pulkovo is planning to
purchase eighteen An-148s, Polet will acquire twenty examples, Vladivostok Air –
two ones. Besides, IFC entered into an agreement with Cuban Cubana Airline for
the delivery of two Il-96-300s, two Tu-204s and one Tu-204C Freighter. “By the
end of the show Volga-Dnepr may have made a contract for the purchase of ten
Tu-204s”, - he concluded.
