Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Dec 4 2007
ARMENIA ACQUIRES A NEW PRESIDENTIAL AIRPLANE
Armenia has recently acquired an `Airbus’ A-319 air-plane. The
plane was produced in 1988 and is planned to be operated for official
goals, replacing its predecessor, i.e. `Tu-134′, produced in 1977.
The plane will mainly used by the President of the Republic and, upon
necessity – the delegations headed by high ranking individuals for
their trips abroad.
`Airbus’ A-319 was acquired in one of the eastern aviation
markets. The transaction cost was 45 million US Dollars, of which 15
million US Dollars have already been paid by the Armenian
charity-makers whose names are not published at their own request.
For the payment of the remaining sum, a loan has been lent for the
term of 10 years. The choice of this particular air-plane was
conditioned by the following factors:
a) having been produced around 10 years ago, the plane is in
technically fresh conditions and has been used 3707 flight/hour
b) the interior of the plane corresponds to the official class and
requires no additional expenses.
The acquisition of a new representative airplane had become a
vital necessity. First, `Tu-134′ airplanes do not conform to the
up-to-date aviation standards, e.g. they exceed the permissible noise
level, which prevents them from landing on European airports.
Besides, they are money-consuming in terms of the services and the
fuel used, as well as ecologically harmful. The plane `Tu-134′ is
depreciated to an extent that makes its further use inexpedient.
Let us also note that it’s a long time since `Tu-134′ airplanes
have not been used in our region for official visits.