With the RA-64518, the Russian airline Red Wings has returned a reactivated Tupolev Tu-214 to international scheduled flight operations. The comeback flight was from Moscow-Domodedovo to Yerevan.

On February 7, 2024, Red Wings conducted the WZ4321/WZ4322 course pair with the approximately 14-year-old Tu-214, which was recently reactivated. This is the first international scheduled flight since this aircraft was put back into service. The Russian medium-haul jet was previously transferred from Sochi to Moscow-Domodedovo on February 4, 2024.

The reactivation of Tu-204/Tu-214 aircraft that have been parked for a long time is part of the Russian government's aviation strategy. The aim is to make oneself less dependent on Western aircraft. Due to sanctions, spare parts for Airbus and Boeing models, for example, cannot be obtained through official channels.

The Red WIngs fleet also includes three Tupolev Tu-204s, which are also used on international routes. In direct comparison with the recently reactivated Tu-214, the 204 model has a longer range. Targets are targeted in states that do not participate in Western sanctions. Until recently, all Tu-214s were operated exclusively by the Rossiya Special Aviation Squadron, which flew mainly government delegations. Red Wings was the first company to gain the ability to carry regular passengers today, the carrier claims.

“This is a good and reliable domestic machine. After modernization, we received a new aircraft with a completely new cabin in a single-class layout with 194 seats. Passengers will feel very comfortable and we can expand the offer for them on international routes,” said Ekaterina Rukhlova, Deputy General Director for Fleet Management at Red Wings. “Expanding the fleet with such aircraft will allow us to carry more passengers over longer routes and eliminate problems with leasing and payments in foreign currency. At the same time, the efficiency of the SuperJet 100 fleet is increasing. We have good experience with the Tu-204/214 family and will fully support UAC in the production of new machines of this type. We have no choice but to build our own modern and reliable aircraft. In this sense, Red Wings is an assistant or reference operator for Russian aircraft. We carefully record all comments, breakdowns, suggestions from our technicians, pilots, stewardesses and much more and pass them on to UAC so that the next aircraft will be even better.”

In 2024, Red Wings is also expected to receive a Tu-204, which was previously operated by the company from 2008 to 2018, after which it was placed in storage and is now undergoing a similar modernization process. Previously, Red Wings also received a modernized IL-96-400 in the cargo version, making it the first and so far only Russian airline to operate the full range of Russian civil aircraft.

Serious accident overshadows the carrier's history

Red Wings once had quite an extensive Tu-204/214 fleet. The carrier became internationally known through a landing accident that occurred on December 29, 2012 at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Tu-204-100 with the registration RA-64047 overshot the end of the runway and had an accident on a motorway. There were no passengers on board, just eight crew members. The captain, first officer, flight engineer and a flight attendant were killed. Another flight attendant died as a result. The three remaining people survived with serious injuries. It turned out that the thrust reverser had been activated too early.

The carrier's operating license was temporarily revoked. Afterwards, the Tu-204/214 aircraft were gradually phased out and Western models were used. Sukhoi Superjet SSJ-100s were later added. There are now 20 units of the Russian regional jet in operation. The fleet also consists of three Tupolev Tu-204s, three Boeing 777s and recently a Tu-214. The Airbus A320/A321 that were once used have now been phased out again.