China Stops Using Tu-154 in Civil Flights

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 31, 2002

China Stops Using Tu-154 in Civil Flights

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

At 18:30 October 31, the Tu-154 aircraft completed its last mission as the China United Airlines (CUA)' flight CUA506 from Yinchuan to Beijing's Nanyuan Airport. After that China will no longer use Tu-154 in its civil services.

Approved by the State Council and the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, the CUA was founded on December 25, 1986, with its base set up in Beijing's Nanyuan Airport. Mainly engaged in domestic transport, CUA has 27 airlines across the country, with a fleet of 41 aircraft, including 16 Tu-154.

Tu-153 was once a good type of aircraft a decade ago, which, however, gradually became out-of-date along with the development of the nation's aviation industry. As a result, it was relegated to commercial operations.

Expert's analysis

Guan De, aircraft design expert with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, received an interview on the withdrawal of Tu-154 from China.

Generally, we stop use of an aircraft under two circumstances, Guang said. One is, according to flight security regulations by related departments, an aircraft may be forced out of operation after long-term service or for other reasons that made it unable to meet the demand of flying security.

The other is, the aircraft has no security problems, but because of comparatively low general performance and high cost, it may be replaced by more advanced types by air companies in a view of business operation. This is the air company's own business. Designed in earlier times and not updated since, Guan said, Tu-154 apparently lags behind Boeing and Airbus in performance. It's engine, for example, is a whole generation older than that of Boeing 737 and 747, which directly causes more fuel consumption and higher flying cost. Besides, with the development of electronic technology, T-154's flying control system and aviation electronic system also become old, hence its withdrawal from business services.

By PD Online Staff Member Li Heng

Questions?Comments? Click here

Ukraine Denies Shooting Down Russian Tu-154 Plane

Most on Board Crashed Russian Tu-154 Were Children

Russian Tu-154 Airliner Downed by Ukrainian Missile: Final Conclusion

China Starts Working out Law on Citizen ID Card ( 2 Messages)

China's Largest Compact Disc Plant Operational in Hangzhou ( 2 Messages)

Taiwanese Lawmakers Propose Charter Flights to Chinese Mainland ( 35 Messages)

Top Pick Yao Ming Goes Through "a War" in His NBA Debut ( 2 Messages)

China's First Gold Exchange Opens for Trade ( 3 Messages)