newstodate.aero
AUG 26, 2005 (newstodate): According to Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, the country's airlines will acquire a total of 527 new fixed-wing and rotary aircraft before the end of 2010.
Preparing for a projected increase in Russian passenger volumes at 60 percent by the end of the period, the Russian carrier will place orders on 308 passenger aircraft, 42 freighters and 177 helicopters.
Russian airlines currently operate a total of 1,438 commercial aircraft, and the need for replacements is imminent.
In the segment of longhaul aircraft including IL-96, currently banned from flight, IL-86, TU-154 and Boeing/Airbus aircraft, the ageing TU-154 numbers 352 out of a total of 633 aircraft, and in the segment of medium- and shorthaul aircraft including TU-134, AN-24 and YAK-40, the TU-134 counts 242 out of a total of 775 aircraft.
The massive withdrawal of the TU-134 is expected to boom by 2010-12, while the TU-154 may remain in service till 2018-2020.
According to industrial observers, Russia's own aircraft industry will be unable to cope with the demand, while the prohibitive import tax at 50 percent makes it difficult for airlines to acquire western-built aircraft for Russian registration.
In 2004 Russian airlines reportedly placed orders for 15 used western-made aircraft and only four new Russian-built aircraft, while 60-70 percent of the commercial fleet now operated need replacement.
Preparing for a projected increase in Russian passenger volumes at 60 percent by the end of the period, the Russian carrier will place orders on 308 passenger aircraft, 42 freighters and 177 helicopters.
Russian airlines currently operate a total of 1,438 commercial aircraft, and the need for replacements is imminent.
In the segment of longhaul aircraft including IL-96, currently banned from flight, IL-86, TU-154 and Boeing/Airbus aircraft, the ageing TU-154 numbers 352 out of a total of 633 aircraft, and in the segment of medium- and shorthaul aircraft including TU-134, AN-24 and YAK-40, the TU-134 counts 242 out of a total of 775 aircraft.
The massive withdrawal of the TU-134 is expected to boom by 2010-12, while the TU-154 may remain in service till 2018-2020.
According to industrial observers, Russia's own aircraft industry will be unable to cope with the demand, while the prohibitive import tax at 50 percent makes it difficult for airlines to acquire western-built aircraft for Russian registration.
In 2004 Russian airlines reportedly placed orders for 15 used western-made aircraft and only four new Russian-built aircraft, while 60-70 percent of the commercial fleet now operated need replacement.