Say Hello To The TU-334

Russia unveiled its newest entry into th ecommercial aviation market, a joint effort between Russia and the Ukraine. The presentation of a new Russian aircraft, Tu-334, took place in Ukraine's capital, Kiev. The liner's assembly had been completed at the Kiev state-run Aviant works.

Taking part in the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Vitaly Gaiduk, First Vice Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Alexander Zinchenko, and Ukrainian Government members. On Russia's part the ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Boris Alyoshin, General Director of the Rosaviakosmos aerospace agency and other representatives of the Russian aircraft manufacturing industry.

An agreement on cooperation in aircraft manufacturing between Ukraine and Russia was signed during the presentation ceremony.

The Tu-334 is the first Russian aircraft built in the framework of the joint aerospace program of Russia and Ukraine. Manufacture of 334 is expected to start in 2004.

"Rosaviakosmos deliberately sped up manufacture under the program, because the fleet of Tu-134 and Yak-42 aircraft functionally depreciated and had to be urgently replaced, and the Tu-334 liner was designed to replace them," said Valery Voskoboinikov, first deputy chief of Rosaviakosmos. "Over one hundred orders have already been made for this aircraft with low servicing expenditures and high fuel efficiency." Experts forecast that by 2010 the Tu-334 aircraft will handle about 80 percent of all air transportation in Russia and other CIS countries.

The new plane corresponds to all norms of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which allows it be used in international flights and is its indisputable advantage.

FMI: www.tupolev.ru/English