Service for diving resorts in Sarawak

Published: 6/2/2000

An An-38-100, one of three belonging to the Vostok Airlines, has left its home base at Kharbarovsk in the Russian Far East for deployment under wet lease to Malaysian company Lyang Lyang Aerospace to service diving resorts in Sarawak. The aircraft is the first An-38 to be operated out of Russia, where there are only two commercial operators Vostok Airlines and Alrosa Avia operating four aircraft at present, although Moscow-based Alrosa is believed to have taken delivery of their second aircraft last week for their operation in Mirny in northern Russia. Fanis Mirzayanov, the airline's General Director, was optimistic about the aircraft's prospects outside Russia, claiming that with the support facilities from the airline and its suppliers were in place and the aircraft was now up to international standards. Vostok is also reported to be considering sending its second aircraft to Malaysia under wet lease, which will leave one aircraft with the airline, although reports suggest that the third aircraft is inoperative after a number of problems relating to ice ingestion, failed compressor bearings that have been resolved and gauge failure caused by a ground cart. Vostok is also reported to be leasing two helicopters from its fleet for operation in the Malaysian timber industry. The sales of the Honeywell (Allied Signal) TPE331-14 powered aircraft have been slow to date, but those involved in the programme are hopeful that the Malaysian exposure may stimulate interest particularly in markets such as South Korea where there is a joint marketing deal between NAPO and LG Corporation to sell a search and rescue version to meet a Korean requirement.

Article ID: 1838