Cuba and Russia sign contract for the purchase of five aircraft

In the presence of President Fidel Castro a contract has been signed for the purchase by Cuba of five new aircraft from the Russian Federation: two IL 96-300’s and three TI 204-100’s. Four of them will be used for passenger transport and one —of the second model— for carrying cargo.

Signing the document at the headquarters of the Council of State were Alexander Rubtsov, general director of the Iluyshin Finance Company, and José Heriberto Prieto, first vice president of Cuban Civil Aeronautics (IACC), who stated that this denotes the second step in the upgrading of Cuba’s air fleet.

He added that, like the two Russian IL 96-300 aircraft recently acquired (last December and March), these five will be in the service of solidarity with Latin America and other countries of the world.

“Our fleet has always been ready to undertake missions for our Party, government, and president to unite the peoples, whether these involve doctors, teachers, athletes or tourists. The wings of Cuba have always borne a message of solidarity and affection, and will continue to do so,” he stressed.

Boris Alioshin, president of the Russian Federal Industry Agency, affirmed that it was a great honor to attend the signing, a “demonstration of friendship that opens up new possibilities for our industries.”

Fidel spoke extensively with the Russian delegation about the technology of these modern craft whose fuel consumption is significantly lower than the IL 62M.

Others present included Andrei Dimitriev, ambassador of the Russian Federation in our country, and Rogelio Acevedo, IACC president.