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This type of aircraft was designed by Tupolev Design Bureau for Vladivostok Air. The airline has been the only operator of the aircraft type for three years. International aviation community appreciated the new aircraft merits from Primorye airline experience, and the bureau receives orders for Tu-204-300 manufacturing from foreign airlines.
The main advantage of the new Tu is that their technical parameters enabled Vladivostok Air to perform non-stop flights between Vladivostok and central parts of Russia and to considerably improve in-flight service. For the first time in Russian history Vladivostok Air opened direct coast-to-coast flight from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg.
Solemn meeting of the fifth Tu-204-300 was held in Vladivostok Airport. It is a good tradition to welcome new aircrafts with a large delegation including representatives of the regional and Artem administrations, OJSC Vladivostok Air Board of Directors, the airline and OJSC Vladivostok International Airport staff. According to the orthodox tradition each aircraft of the airline is consecrated by ministers of church.
Pilot crew that performed the first flight on the new Tu from Ulyanovsk to Vladivostok was the first to appreciate all the advantages of the renewed aircraft type. Engineering Aviation Service states that the newly arrived Tu-204 is 30% different from the first four family members. You can see this at once by the soft light of LED lamps in passenger cabin, by location of audio and video entertainment system control buttons on the seat arm rests, by lab-top sockets in business class. Another peculiarity of the new aircraft is sensor displays. New air conditioning system was installed to make passengers more comfortable, front and rear kitchens were improved. Engine controls and instruments were renewed. The aircraft was provided with the up-to-date control devices and flight data recorders. Control systems, furnishings and emergency rescue equipment, fuel and hydraulic systems, engines and navigation aids were also improved to increase flight safety. All the modification were implemented subject to recommendations given by the airline experts in the course of Tu-204-300 operation. The aircraft received additional certification by International Aviation Committee in respect of the modifications.
It should be noted that the airline engineering service and the design bureau have cooperated for the aircraft type improvement since the commissioning of the first Tu-204-300. Additional elements were introduces into each subsequent aircraft to improve its performances and passenger cabin comfort level. Only continuous work on all the service elements can make the aircrafts more attractive for both Russian and foreign passengers.
This year the airline plans to acquire the sixth Tu-204-300.
PR Department
Vladivostok Air
oso@vladavia.ru
