*CATA IL-86 | B-1993

CATA (Chinese Aerial Transport Authority) ordered six Ilyushin IL-86s in 1982 as part of a thaw in Sino-Soviet relations and increased cooperation in the aviation sector. The first IL-86 arrived in 1983 amid a major expansion, and the IL-86 was CATA's second largest aircraft by seats, after the Boeing 747. Operated by the Shanghai and Beijing divisions, the aircraft often operated the Beijing - Shanghai shuttle route, as well as flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg via Novosibirsk. After the 1990 split of CATA into six different divisions, two IL-86s continued to fly with China Central Airlines out of Shanghai.

China Central Airlines operated the IL-86s until 1995, operating trunk routes to Beijing and Guangzhou. In the summer, the fleet would be more spread out, flying to Hainan, Thailand, the Philippines, and other seasonal destinations. The IL-86 was also a personal favorite of former President Jiang Zemin, who used the aircraft regularly for domestic travel. After 1995, the planes were requisitioned by the People's Liberation Army Air Force.