Ukraine Starts Production Of An-148 Aircraft

KIEV, Ukraine -- Kiev-based Aviant state aircraft factory has started serial production of the An-148 regional passenger airplane.

An-148 regional passenger airplane
The plane was certified on Monday.

Aviant intends to produce two An-148 airplanes in 2007: one for Kazakhstan and one for Ukraine.

Ukraine's state budget for 2007 allocates UAH 155 mln (EUR 23.6 mln) for leasing this airplane.

Ten An-148 airplanes are at various stages of readiness at the factory.

Aviant plans to produce 34 An-148 airplanes by the year 2010, out of which it plans to deliver seven to Kazakhstan.

Airplanes in the An-148 family, which are equipped with dual jet engines, are designed to carry passengers and cargoes on regional and near-long-haul routes.

The An-148 airplane has a cruising speed of 820-870 kilometers per hour.

The airplane costs about USD $20 million.

Source: Rynok Biz