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   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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