No plans for more acquisitions

Published: 6/26/2000

Embattled Vnukovo Airlines (VAL), which is currently competing with KrasAir for the title of Russia's third airline, has no plans for the acquisition of new aircraft in the near future, according to Aleksandr Klimov, Deputy General Director. At a press briefing on 22nd June he said 'Our existing aircraft will fly for another 15-20 years, so that there is no acute need of replacement' This contradicts with earlier statements by VAL managers who claimed VAL needed more modern airliners of the Tu-204 family. Furthermore, Genrikh Novozhilov, Ilyushin General Designer, claimed last year that VAL was interested in a special version of the Il-96-300. Today, VAL has 53 airliners in its fleet, including nine Il-86s, one Tu-204, two Yak-42s, ten Tu-154Ms and two Tu-154Bs, claimed to be in flight-worthy condition. Currently only one Tu-204 (side number 011) is air-worthy, but VAL expects to add two more by February next year according to Klimov (side numbers 012 and 013), including one this October, under a contract with Aviastar. Instead of ordering new aircraft, VAL has announced its decision to launch a major interior improvement programme costing $1.3m over three years. Ten Tu-154s and six Il-86s, which form the VAL scheduled services fleet, will get a three-class cabin, with first and business class seats. VAL currently offers business class on all major routes, but the airline's management finds the current services do not match these offered in the West. The first two Tu-154Ms with three-class layout should be ready in the autumn, with two more by December. The Il-86s will be the last in line for the new interiors. The western-produced interiors will be made by the United Interiors Group including United Interiors International LLC of North Carolina, Weber Aircraft Inc of California, Metzeler Schaum GMBH of Germany, AaBe Textiles BV of Netherlands, Schneller Inc of Florida, Belgraver Aircraft Interiors BV, Airshow Inc of California, Matsushita Avionics Systems and DME. These companies will supply cabin interiors, in-flight entertainment equipment, business and first-class seats. Installation of the new interiors will be undertaken by 411 Repair Plant in Kav Min Vody. The plant will also undertake modernisation of the Russian-built economy seats with cushions, head and hand rests and covering fabrics supplied by United Interiors. Klimov said that western providers were chosen because 'the local industry could provide only 10% of the requirement'.

Article ID: 1872