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TZUTC: 0200                  
Cubana, Cuba's airline, can also resume flying with the Ilyushin Il-96. After
being in Russia for maintenance for more than a year, the plane returned to
Havana over the weekend. There it was festively received with a water salute.
 
Earlier this fall, Cubana also received a Tupolev Tu-204 from Russia after
maintenance. That aircraft returned in September after 4 years (!). The Cuban
airline now has two Russian aircraft operational again. A large part of the
fleet is still grounded.
 
Cubana is the world's only airline still using the Il-96. The Russian 'Airbus
A340' anywhere else only flies for the Russian government.
 
Since the departure of the Il-96 (registration CU-T1250) to Voronez in Russia
for maintenance last summer, Cubana has mainly used an Airbus A340 wet-leased
from the Spanish Plus Ultra for international flight operations.
 
The Tu-204, Cubana's other deployable Russian aircraft, is now in Tehran for a
state visit by the Cuban president to the friendly nation of Iran.

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