Part Of Major Fleet Upgrade

Is it a sign of what's to come? Ahead of its expected announcement of an order from either Boeing or Airbus for 22 next-generation widebody airliners, Aeroflot's deputy general director announced Wednesday the airline plans to buy between 30 and 35 Airbus A320s between 2008 and 2015.

Aeroflot's Lev Koshlyakov told Reuters the A320s will replace some of the oldest aircraft in the Russian carrier's fleet -- 25 Tupolev Tu-154M trijet (file photo of type, right) airliners, which are currently used on domestic routes. It is not yet clear whether the Airbus planes (file photo, below) will be purchased new or used.

The Russian national airline is currently undergoing a fairly significant upgrade of its fleet.

 Last December, the board of directors approved a deal to buy 30 Sukhoi regional jets, as well as seven A321 medium-range aircraft. That decision goes before shareholders in May for final approval.

The latest decision to go with Airbus comes ahead of the expected $3 billion order for new widebody airlines. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is in the running for that bid, as is Airbus with its own A350.

Aeroflot was expected to announce the winner of that decision by the end of this month... which is approaching fast. Stay tuned.

FMI: www.aeroflot.com/eng