Aviation

S7 Airlines and UAC Ink Agreement for 100 Tu-214 Aircraft

In a significant development for Russian aviation, S7 Airlines (S7) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to acquire 100 Tu-214 airliners.

The deal was formalized on September 18, 2024, in Kazan, a city renowned for its aircraft production, specifically the Tu-214, by UAC. The agreement was signed by Yuri Slyusar, Managing Director of UAC, and Vladislav Filev, owner of the S7 Group.

The Tu-214, a modernized version of the Soviet-era Tu-204, is designed to replace popular Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 models within Russian fleets. As Russia moves towards greater self-reliance in aviation amidst international sanctions, this agreement marks a pivotal shift in the country’s airline industry.

UAC is aiming to scale up its Tu-214 production, with plans to produce 10 aircraft annually by 2025/26 and 20 per year by 2027. Historically, few international airlines have operated the Tu-214, with North Korea’s Air Koryo and Cuba’s Cubana de Aviación among the few.

However, the aircraft’s three-person cockpit, a unique feature of its Soviet-era lineage, sets it apart from more modern two-pilot designs. Despite these differences, Russian carriers, including national airline Aeroflot, are embracing the model. Aeroflot has already placed a significant order for 40 Tu-214s, reinforcing its strategic importance.

With S7 Airlines joining the ranks of Russian carriers moving towards domestically produced aircraft, the acquisition of 100 Tu-214s signifies a major step in UAC’s effort to reduce reliance on Western aircraft. As the new fleet takes shape, this deal strengthens the Russian aviation industry’s resilience, positioning it for a more autonomous future.

Aviation

Did you know ? Once Boeing 747 carried 1088 passenger in 1991

In 1991, during Operation Solomon, Israel aimed to airlift 14,000 people from Ethiopia within 36 hours. The effort was intense, with a strong focus on evacuating as many individuals as possible from the country.

At the forefront of this operation was the Boeing 747, known as the “Queen of the Skies,” which transported nearly 1,088 passengers.

Due to the urgent circumstances, all passengers were seated on the aircraft floor, despite the Boeing’s typical maximum capacity being around 660 passengers as per manufacturer specifications.

The aircraft was granted special approval to take off under these exceptional conditions.

Amid political tensions and military reforms in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian government requested the Jewish community to leave the country, providing them with a limited window for evacuation. In response, the community organized an airlift to facilitate their safe departure.

A fleet of 35 Israeli aircraft, including C-130s from the Israeli Air Force and El Al Boeing 747s, was deployed for the mission. These aircraft flew non-stop, successfully transporting most of the Ethiopian Jewish community to Israel in one of the largest airlift operations in history.