Antonov expects its new An-148 regional jet to win CIS AP-25 certification this month and to deliver the first production example, built by Ukraine’s Aviant, to Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines early next year, according to the Ukrainian design bureau’s deputy general designer, Oleksander Kiva. Together, Aviant and VASO of Voronezh, Russia, have started building seven production airplanes, the first of which should roll out of the Aviant plant this month. In all, SCAT expects to take delivery of two more airplanes next year, two in 2008 and a final pair in 2009.
Other contracts include firm orders with Ilyushin Finance covering a total of 18 airplanes due for delivery next year to lease customers Krasair of Russia, which plans to take 10, and Pulkovo Aviation, which signed a firm deal for eight. Krasair and Pulkovo also hold options on five and 10 airplanes, respectively.
More In Aircraft
