BUDAPEST -- Hungaro-Lines, the flag carrier of Hungary, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this April. In the focus of the celebration will be the Tupolev 134 jetliner. The Tu-134 was instrumental in expanding the airline's European network from the start until the aircraft’s retirement in the early 1990s. Now, it is making a comeback.
As part of the celebration, the airline has returned one of the legendary twin-jets into service. From February until August, 1996, a single Tu-134 will be operating select flights on Hungaro-Lines' scheduled routes, replacing the usual MD80 or ATR series aircraft. The destinations where the twin-jet can be flown include Athens, Helsinki, London Gatwick, Luxembourg, Prague, Vilnius and Warsaw.
The particular Tu-134 bears Hungarian registration HA-LRE. Named after poet Miklós Radnóti, the aircraft was initially delivered from the Soviet Union to Hungaro-Lines’ fleet in 1973 as the fifth aircraft of this type. It was the last Tu-134 to be retired from the airline's active fleet in August 1991. It’s heavy maintenance checks are still valid and thus Hungaro-Lines’ crews and technical staff are confident their decades-long experience with the type will ensure its safe and reliable operation over the coming months.
According to Hungaro Lines' chief technical officer, HA-LRE will be the sole Tu-134 still operating worldwide. It is also the most well-traveled Tu-134, as no other aircraft of this type has accumulated as many flight hours (close to 80 thousand hours) during its career.
Topic: Hungaro-Lines' 25th anniversary brings back legendary twin-jet. (Read 67 times)