Progress still awaits commercial viability (270 words)

Published: 8/18/2000

According to Andrey Savenko of Antonov, the second An-225 airframe, generally regarded by sources as being in its very early stages, is almost ready. The fuselage, wings, wing central section, tail and almost all the metal work are complete says Savenko. The construction of the second aircraft was stopped in the mid-nineties although there have been a number of reports of it restarting recently. Further progress on the aircraft is however, likely to wait until Antonov has commercially proved the viability of the first aircraft. Although it is likely that if the first An-225 gets a long term contract the aircraft could be completed as a backup aircraft, according to Antonov's marketing partner Air Foyle's Bruce Bird, who has been marketing a potential An-225 service to customers. The first An-225, which has been brought out of storage, is currently undergoing an evaluation of the work and parts required to get the aircraft airworthy and the budget that will be needed. Savenko was reluctant to discuss the necessary investment prior to the end of this process, but figures of $20m have been mentioned by a number of sources. All the work on the An-225, said Savenko, is and will be financed by the ANTK Antonov. On the subject of air launching satellites, Savenko added that such a programme is only being undertaken by the An-124-100 of Polyot Airlines as part of the Air Start programme and the use of the aircraft has not been raised. He also dismissed earlier reports of an An-225 satellite launch programme reported to have come from Antonov Airlines.

Article ID: 2007