ex SP Air - became EL-AKQ with Air Cess (photographer not known)

(photographer not known)

(photographer not known)

Still in basic Air Cess colours but allegedly operating for Irbis Air Company.

Still wearing part of its old SP Air colours before being painted in Air Cess colours.

Another look at this attractive aircraft from the other side as it taxied by the next day sounding awesome. Operated by Air Cess but still in basic SP Air cols.

Still in the basic cols of SP Air ex RA-75497. Owned by Air Cess and seen here prior to repaint and titles later in the year.

This aircraft and the shady airlines it worked for have been linked to the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout. According to researchers it was previously EL-AKQ, 3D-SBQ and 3C-KKL. Under the Kazakh registration UN-75005 its operators were named as Air Cess, 'Air Bas', 'Linee Aerienne Tchad' in late 2003 and then Irbis Air Company. Irbis became Mega Airlines and this machine became UP-I1801. It was seen in Somalia in 2014. Here it is wearing the name of the Russian city of Zlatoust.