Prototypes transferred, following production suspension (210 words)

Published: 6/22/2001

Earlier this month, Antonov handed over the second An-140 prototpe to Antonov Airlines, after the removal of test equipment and the fitting of 48 seats. The aircraft will be used for passenger charters, according to the design bureau. The third aircraft, built by the Kharkov Aviation Plant (KhGAPP), which, in March 2001, was believed to have been handed over to the plant's affiliated airline, Ikar Airlines, is now reported to being ready for the transfer, for scheduled passenger services between Kiev and Kharkov. Ikar crews are currently undergoing training at Antonov, with services scheduled to start later this summer. The remaining flying An-140 prototype, with a larger wing and design differences from the certified version, will continue flying with Antonov as an experimental aircraft. The company does not have plans to modify it to the certified version. The transfer of the prototypes follows the decision in June by Aviakor, the Russian production partner, to suspend the development of the production of the An-140. Currently KhGAPP appears only to be involved in the production of aircraft for the contract of licensed aircraft for Iran with the second aircraft of a 12 aircraft contract due to rollout of Ishfahan in September.

Article ID: 2603