Russia to equip RedWings with more Tu204s for Crimean flights

Tupolev Design Bureau and could be tasked with increasing the production of their home-grown aircraft as Moscow moves to reduce Russia's dependency on foreign-owned, Western-built jets.

Following the suspension of services of Aeroflot budget carrier, Dobrolet, as a result of European and US sanctions, Russia has said it now intends to establish its own domestic carrier equipped with only locally-made aircraft with Red Wings currently a strong contender given its existing fleet of nine Tu-204s.

With a study currently underway to determine the feasibility of Ilyushin Design Bureau restarting its Il-114 production line, so the Kremlin has stated its intention to order another eleven Tu-204s for onward placement with Red Wings.

The deputy head of Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry, Yuri Slusar, told the local press last week that the aircraft will then be deployed on Red Wings' flights to Simferopol in the Crimea.

In addition to the Tu-204s, the carrier will also operate ten SSJ 100-95s with delivery likely to begin in either 2016/17, Slusar said.