"Aeroflot - Russian Airlines"' Board of Directors is concerned with the situation in connection with suspending on August 22 of Ilyushin 96-300 aircraft operation, since it is still uncertain when all the explored defects will be fixed and when this aircraft is allowed back to service. Having six aircraft of this type in operation, Aeroflot has practically lost 40% of its long distance vehicles and bearing significant losses, while the passengers face a range of inconveniences with regard to the schedule changes, aircraft replacement and induced connected flights.
Rostransnadzor prescription says that "in August 2005 some incidents which may have an impact on the flight safety happened to Ilyushin 96-300 aircraft". In consideration of the above said the Board of Directors of Aeroflot and the entire Company, observing first of all the safety of the flights of Ilyushin 96-300, is taking it for granting to require from developer, manufacturer and leasing company official guarantees that the new aircraft of this series to be acquired within the next years are free from the same manufacturing defects.
According to the decision adopted by the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the company the guarantees of high reliability of Ilyushin 96-300 aircraft subject to be fixed in contractual documents for the deal on acquiring of six new aircraft of this type by Aeroflot.
Implementation of the above decision will allow Aeroflot to acquire Ilyushin 96-300 with guaranteed reliability of its component aggregates and systems. This guarantee would be secured by the developer, manufacturer and leasing company to be a party to the deal to be adopted by the general meeting of OAO "Aeroflot" shareholders scheduled on September 19, 2005.
