UK-based commercial aircraft interiors specialist Diamonite has begun work on its biggest conversion project to date – its 43rd for the Russian market.

The order for a vip conversion of a former Malev Hungarian Airlines Tu-134 confirms Diamonite’s position as the western world’s leading supplier of aircraft interiors to Russia, the company says.

The conversion – which is under way at Kemble in Gloucestershire, UK – is worth $1 million and will create a well-equipped flying office with vip facilities for executives of Russia’s biggest oil company, namely Luk Oil.

Diamonite managing director Dave Cox says the conversion is the second upgrade that his teams have completed on this particular aircraft type.

In 1992 Diamonite fitted a modern airline interior for Malev.

“We were very pleased to see the condition of our aircraft interior after nine years of intensive airline use,” reported Cox. “The aircraft had logged some 10,000 flying hours in around 6,000 short and medium-haul flights carrying several hundred thousand passengers during that time.”

The combined team of Diamonite and Russian technicians expect to complete the Tu-134’s vip cabin in May. According to the company, the twin-jet will be ready for another decade or more of service, as the flagship of Kolavia, the Luk Oil company airline.