RED WINGS has placed its restored Tupolev Tu-214 back into service on international flights. On February 7, RA-64518 (c/n 44709018) departed Moscow/Domodedovo for the just under three-hour flight to the Armenian capital, Yerevan.
The 14-year-old aircraft, a former Transaero example, was restored after being stored in Kazan for around seven years. The Tu-214 had previously been retired from regular passenger service and used only by Russian government delegations.
Red Wings is also planning to add an additional Tu-204 to its fleet later this year. The airline currently operates two examples: RA-64014 (c/n 1450744364014) and RA-64039 (c/n 1450741564039). The third, RA-64050 (c/n 1450741964050), is undergoing modernisation to return to service. It previously flew for the airline between 2008 and 2018.