Russia's Latest Il-96-300 Airliner to Make Maiden Flight on Monday

Russia's latest Ilyushin Il-96-300 airliner will make its maiden flight on Monday.

The aircraft was made by the Ilyushin air corporation and ordered by the Russian government's official air carrier Rossiya.

Unlike the Il-96-300 Rossiya purchased five years ago the current Il-96-300 is equipped with most recent navigation systems and a new communication system, Aleksandr Shakhnovich, in charge of the Ilyushin corporation press service, has told RIA Novosti.

The aircraft's technical characteristics comply with the international noise, environment and avionics requirements, added Mr Shakhnovich.

The aircraft will be carrying top government officials.

Viktor Khrekov, press spokesman for the Kremlin property department, confirmed that the air carrier had ordered another Il-96-300 aircraft.

Besides, the Ilyushin holding is completing tests of an Il-76 military transport plane with a longer flight deck and enhanced cargo capacity. The mass production of the Il-76 will be launched on May 1, 2003, and the aircraft will soon go into service, according to Mr Shakhnovich.

He said the Russian Air Force had also ordered a light military transport plane Il-11. The flying tests are planned as early as in 4 to 5 years.

Apart from that, Ilyushin has embarked on updating the Il-76 freight aircraft. It will be equipped with new Russian-made PC-90 motors, which will allow the aircraft to make foreign flights.

The concern is also building an Il-38 patrol anti-submarine plane, the order from India's Air Force.