Russian Airline Will Order 20 Boeing Jets

Russia’s second-largest airline plans to acquire 30 new planes, including 20 Boeing aircraft, by the year 2010, its general director said Friday.

Transaero head Alexander Pleschakov said the airline wants 10 Boeing 737-600s, 10 Boeing 767-300s and the same number of Ilyushin Il-96Ms.

The first acquisitions could come as early as this year, Pleschakov told a news conference.

He said the airline decided against buying Russian-made Tu-204s because they failed to meet Western standards.

Transaero currently has a fleet of 14 aircraft, including five Boeing 737-300s, five 757-200s, three McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s and one Il-86, the report said.