The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and the government of the Republic of Sakha have signed a letter of intent to acquire twelve Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft for Yakutia Airline, based in Yakutsk, the capital of the region.
«The agreement is aimed at developing cooperation to improve the region’s transport accessibility and the provision of air transport services», UAC said in a press release.
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Yakutia bets on TU-214
It is estimated that by the end of the decade the airline will need a dozen planes of this type. This is why the government of the Republic of Sakha has officially declared its interest in purchasing twelve Tu-214 for Yakutia’s fleet. However, the final details and terms of the contract will still be discussed by the two parties.
The Russian government notes that the domestically-produced Tu-214, fitted with Aviadvigate PS-90 engines, is a viable alternative for local operators to meet their needs for single-aisle aircraft without resorting to imports from Western countries.
The airplane, which is manufactured in Kazan, can carry up to 210 passengers.
Russia wants to speed up production of Tu-214
It has become known in recent days that Russia plans to increase production of the Tu-214 and introduce a new, upgraded passenger cabin. While the current programme envisages producing at least ten airplanes per year from 2025, the authorities aim to double that number by 2027.
The need to increase series production arose as a result of the sanctions imposed on Russia, the suspension of supplies of Western-made aircraft, and the refusal of the United States and European countries to provide technical maintenance and supply components.
In response, the national administration began to implement a series of measures to promote local industry. It also emphasised the need to reduce dependence on foreign inputs as much as possible. Reducing the import of components and encouraging domestic manufacturers’ own activity is key to their intentions.
Until recently, the Tu-214 was produced in small quantities and used mostly in regional services. However, Aeroflot is set to become one of its main customers in the near future: the flag carrier expects to take delivery of eleven aircraft in the next two years and to have forty in service by the end of the decade.
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