ZAPORIZHZHIA (Ukraine). Sept 13 (Interfax-AVN) - The Taganrog-based Beriev Aircraft Scientific Industrial Enterprise (TANTK) plans to develop a passenger modification of the Be-200 amphibious aircraft, TANTK Director General Viktor Kobzev told Interfax-AVN.
"We are looking into a feasibility of developing a passenger version of the Be-200ChS," Kobzev said.
According to him, South East Asia, Africa, and Latin America are very interested in procuring a passenger version of the Be-200.
"They are primarily interested in a convertible modification for 40-50 passengers plus 1.5-2 tons of cargo. We are investigating a feasibility of developing such an aircraft," Kobzev said.
The Be-200ChS has already been certified under Russian airworthiness standards to transport 43 passengers. However, such modification is not very efficient since it is still fitted with a fire-fighting system, a transportation hatch, etc., which account for at least 1.5 tons of payload.
The demand for the Be-200 is estimated at about 110 aircraft, with the passenger and the convertible modifications accounting for about 50-60 aircraft.