MOSCOW- S7 Airlines (S7), a major Russian carrier, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to acquire 100 Tu-214 airliners.
The agreement was signed on September 18, 2024, in Kazan, Tatarstan, where UAC manufactures the aircraft. Yuri Slyusar, Managing Director of UAC, and Vladislav Filev, owner of S7 Group, formalized the deal.
Russian Airline Buys 100 Tu-214
The Tu-214, a modernized version of the Soviet-era Tu-204, has seen renewed interest following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions. These sanctions have cut off Russian access to new Western-made aircraft, prompting a revival of domestic production.
Despite limited commercial success in the past, the Tu-214 has found new life in Russia’s current geopolitical climate. Production of the aircraft, which had ceased in 2016, resumed after the invasion.
Several dozen Tu-214s were built in various configurations for both civilian and military use during its initial production run from the 1990s to 2016.
Russian airline Red Wings reintroduced the Tu-214 to its fleet in early 2024, abandoning its previous plans to transition to an Airbus A220 fleet. This move came after six years without operating the aircraft type.
As of September 2024, the only non-Russian airlines utilizing Tu-204/214 aircraft for passenger flights are North Korea’s Air Koryo (JS) and Cuba’s national carrier, Cubana de Aviación (CU).
UAC has ambitious plans to ramp up Tu-214 production. The company announced earlier in 2024 that it aims to increase output to 10 aircraft per year by 2025/26, with a long-term goal of reaching 20 aircraft annually after 2027.
About S7 Airlines
S7 Airlines, Russia’s largest private airline, operates the most modern fleet in the Russian air transit market. The carrier ranks among Eastern Europe’s top three airlines in the prestigious Skytrax rating. In 2018, S7 Airlines claimed the title of Russia’s most punctual airline, securing sixth place in OAG’s Punctuality League 2019, a European airline punctuality ranking.
Environmental responsibility features prominently in S7 Airlines’ operations. The airline holds the 16th position globally among the most environmentally friendly carriers, according to the environmental organization Atmosfair.
S7 Airlines distinguishes itself by acquiring new, cutting-edge aircraft directly from manufacturers. It stands as the sole Russian airline offering passengers the experience of flying on the latest generation Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo aircraft. In total, it operates a fleet of 104 aircraft as of September 2024.
Technological innovation drives S7 Airlines’ service offerings. The carrier leads in implementing modern technologies, providing passengers with sought-after services such as mobile boarding passes, self-check-in, baggage tracking, and a user-friendly app for iOS and Android platforms.
To enhance customer loyalty, S7 Airlines operates the S7 Priority program. This initiative allows passengers to earn flight miles and access additional services. Members can redeem accumulated miles for tickets on flights operated by S7 and its partner airlines.
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