The Il-96 aircraft was developed by the Ilyushin design bureau in the 1980s for operation on long-haul airlines. The basic model of the aircraft is Il-96-300, developed on the basis of Il-86 and differs from the latter by a shortened fuselage, enlarged keel, wing, new engines and avionics.
Serial production of the Il-96-300 began in 1992, and its commercial operation in 1993. A total of 22 aircraft were built, one of which was a special version for transporting the President of the Russian Federation (Il-96-300PU).
In 2000, the IL-96-400 model was developed with an extended fuselage, increased passenger capacity and flight range. However, the passenger version did not receive orders from airlines and only a few aircraft in the cargo version of the Il-96-400T were built.
Currently, a deep modernization of the airliner has been carried out by lightening the structure, installing modern new engines and avionics. The updated aircraft, designated IL-96-400M, made its first flight on November 1, 2023.
List of aircraft operators: Cubana de Aviacion
