Leased aircraft to be followed by a further six under agreement with FLK (180 words)

Published: 10/22/2001

On 20th October, Dalavia took delivery of its second Tu-214 from KAPO, following the arrival of its first in May 2001 for operation on routes from Khabarovsk to Moscow, China and Korea. The aircraft, leased through the Financial Leasing Company (FLK), comes after the state-owned airline, based in Kharbarovsk, confirmed that it has recently started to pay the largely Tatarstan state-owned leasing company payments for its first aircraft. The airline intends to lease six more Tu-214s from FLK under an agreement signed by the two companies in August 2001, part of a plan by Dalavia to replace its fleet with Tu-214s. The company's experience with the aircraft to date, however, has not been problem-free, with the first Tu-214 making an emergency landing at Khabarovsk after its right landing gear failed to retract. Sources have also suggested that, despite public expressions of satisfaction, private doubts exist within the company. Even so, given the airline's current situation, the Tu-214 and the associated financing is the only option available.

Article ID: 2845