OREANDA-NEWS. On 23 April 2008 was announced, that a tender committee set up by UTair (UTair Aviation JSC) to select the best commercial civil jet aircraft has checked the submitted bids for compliance with the tender’s main technical requirements. The commission has extended the first stage of the tender until July 14, 2008 for a more detailed analysis of the materials submitted.

The bidders include Ilyushin Finance Co., Sukhoi Civil Aircraft CJSC, National Consultancy Bureau Fintechproject, representing the interests of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, PSC Tupolev, Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), AIRBUS, Bombardier Inc. and China National.

Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, representing the interests of AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co., Ltd. These companies offered 15 aircraft models for 75-80 seats and 100-105 seats.

The tender is aimed at replacing thirty-five Tu-134 aircraft in UTair’s fleet. The tender rules are contained in the regulations on procedures and requirements of the tender for the selection of commercial civil jet aircraft and the specifications. The documents are available at www.utair.ru.

UTair is Russia’s largest aircraft carrier, operating the biggest fleet (over 70 items) of the short-haul and regional Тu-134, ATR-42, An-24 and Yak-40 planes. In 2008, the company plans to use more than 100 aircraft of various types. About 300 passenger flights a day will be performed during the summer season. According to UTair’s business plan, its aircraft will carry 4 million passengers in 2008.