Tu-134B

The Tupolev Tu‑134B is a twin‑engine, short‑range jet airliner that became a cornerstone of Soviet and post‑Soviet civil aviation. Developed from the earlier Tu‑134A, the B variant entered service in 1975 after a series of aerodynamic refinements and the introduction of more powerful Soloviev D‑30 turbofan engines. Production ran at the Kazan Aircraft Production Association until 1989, with a total of 854 aircraft built, including all sub‑models. Its low‑wing cantilever design, pressurised fuselage with a 76‑seat capacity, and a T‑type tail gave it a distinctive profile that suited operations from airports with limited runway length. The Tu‑134B featured upgraded avionics such as VHF radio navigation, an automatic flight control system, and later retrofits of digital instrumentation, enhancing reliability and safety. The aircraft served extensively on domestic routes across the USSR and later Russia, as well as on international flights to Europe, Asia, and Africa, becoming the workhorse for airlines like Aeroflot, Baku‑Air, and Ukraine‑International. Its durability, low operating costs, and straightforward maintenance ensured a service life that stretched well beyond the Cold War, influencing the design philosophy of subsequent regional jets worldwide.