It has been stated yesterday during the meeting held by Vice-Premier Sergey Ivanov, that Tu-204Sm project may be saved by signing a contract with VIM-Avia, ready to acquire 10 jets. Among the potential customers are also Kosmos airlines, Сontinent airlines, Aviastar-Tu and UTair, RBC Daily reports. 

The government and Sergey Ivanov are taking interest in this project since it is the only type of aircraft (except Il-496, which will be delivered in small batches in accordance with State defense order), which was intended to be produced by Ulyanovsk Aviastar plant. The contract with Red Wings on delivery of 44 liners would have solved the problem; however, information regarding possible rejection of this purchase by the carrier has appeared in March. 

Alexander Lebedev, the owner of Red Wings, has confirmed that he would not buy these jets in May. He accused the Federal Security Department for prejudicing the state structures against him and discomfiting the contract. «Due to FSB’s position the order by a private carrier Red Wings has been discomfitted», — Lebedev noted in an open letter to the head of FSB, Alexander Bortnikov. However, yesterday Alexander Lebedev said that Red Wings «did not drop out of the project ». «The memorandum has been signed and we did not change or cancel it. If we are dropping out of the project then there will be no project at all », — he said. 

An alternative customer (VIM-Avia) for the aircraft has been unveiled yesterday during the meeting held by Sergey Ivanov. The airline has already signed a preliminary agreement on acquisition of 10 liners. Several airlines have also been named among the potential customers during the meeting: Kosmos airlines, Continent, Aviastar-Tu and UTair.