An-148-100 for Ukraine International Airline

In early August the Ukrainian airframer Antonov delivered an An-148-100 regional airliner to Ukraine International Airlines (UIA). "The An-148 delivery signifies an important event for our airline," commented UIA Vice-President Volodymyr Bogatsky. "Today, like never before, we needs such an aircraft, with the optimal seating capacity and economic performance. It fits in with our fleet perfectly well." The airliner will be used on domestic and international routes.

The Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Infrastructure Borys Kolesnikov mentioned at the delivery ceremony: "It is a milestone in the program currently being launched by the Ukrainian government to encourage the country’s airlines to buy Ukrainian-made aircraft, to renovate their fleets with Antonov An-148/158 airliners."

The An-148-100 delivery signaled the first step in the implementation of a MoU between Antonov and Lizingtekhtrans leasing company (subsequently reorganized into Antonov Finance) for the purchase of An-148 and An-158 aircraft and their subsequent lease to Ukrainian carriers.

This is the third An-148-100 delivered to a Ukrainian airline. AeroSvit already operates two such aircraft, which have carried over 140,000 passengers on about 30 domestic and international routes since June 2009. Each airframe clocks as high as 280 hours flight time a month.

Maria Ivanova