Arguably the world’s single most interesting commercial aircraft has returned to Cuba from Russia, after some heavy maintenance.
Continue reading: Cubana’s Ilyushin Il-96-300 Makes A Comeback!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Canada has full diplomatic relations with Cuba (as does most of the world other than the USA).
“ maintenance “ in Russia. How come it was permitted to layover in Canada given the sanctions ?
It’s the fact it commenced in Russia. Probably with a hold full of contraband.
Would anyone in their right mind fly one of these aircraft? Russia is having major problems servicing their own fleet ,let alone any one else's. As the saying goes "if it's not Boeing, I'm not going". Okay, I'd get on an Airbus as well, but I'm staying off of Russian aircraft
"....think of it as the Emirates A380 of Cuba...." Err, really? Would there be showers on board, or a lounge? 🙂
No - even though they're made in Brazil they have significant US-sourced content.
... well, who knows? According to trip reports you can find on the internet, they keep the most forward cabin curtained off, even to Business Class pax. I wouldn't be surprised finding some special amenities there ...
The US has had full diplomatic relations with Cuba since 2015, and Cubana could land or refuel in the US if it needed to, just as US-based airlines can land in Cuba. Both countries also signed an aviation agreement (far short of “open skies” but still something) in 2016.
@Reed - not yet "full" as the US has yet to designate an Ambassador to Cuba - just a CdA-AI for now. But yes, basic diplomatic relations were re-established in 2015 after 54 years.
Sanctions apply to aircraft operated by Russian carriers, or registered in Russia. This one is neither of those.
Russia's problems with maintenance stem from not being able to get parts for planes originating from Western manufacturers (obviously primarily Airbus and Boeing). For planes manufactured within Russia like these, that wouldn't present the same issue. Still not sure I'd want to fly on them mind!
The Il-96 actually has a really good operational record. In the short term, the sanctions will hurt the Russian carriers that rely on Airbus and Boeing, but in the long term, it'll just drive innovation in the Russian aviation sector. In fact, a new version of the Il-96 is under development and recently took its first flight.
The "sounds legit" comment in the article is unnecessarily bitchy and chauvinistic. Cuba is under uncalled for sanctions, that are debilitating and it is a daily struggle to survive - it's a miracle what they managed to achieve. As it is under sanctions, it is naturally going to look to countries like Russia and Iran for assistance because who else is there to help it to survive??
Thanks very much for the recent pictures of the IL-96-300 (think B767) and the TU-204 (think B757). It brought back memories of flying between CUN and HAV in the late 90's on TU-154s (think B727).
if it's not Boeing, I'm not going
This drivel, even after factory-fresh brand new aircraft were basically acting as lawn-darts, due to Boeing's cheapness+incompetence+corruption? ...wow.
Keep in mind that the US is one of the few countries without diplomatic relations with Cuba
"Cuba and the United States restored diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015"
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba%E2%80%93United_States_relations
"If its not Boeing, I am not.going"? Boeing and Airbus aircraft are somewhat a hit more cozy but they are just cars as well. I remember once having an emergency landing in Chad on board a 6 year old B777 and we stayed on the ground for 4 hours (Inside the plane while it was being repaired). We ended up arriving past midnight at our destination! Point? Boeing and IL are just Vehicles that need to be well maintained and to a large extent that depends on the airline operating the equipment and it makes no sense denigrating another manufacturer's equipment.
The only thing that Sanctions have achieved is that they have awakened 3 nearly dead airframe builders in Tupolev, Yakovlev and Ilyushin snd they are going to sell a couple of hundred units each and they will surely come out with competitive and updated designs. China.and several other nations are pursuing active projects as well!