KhGAPP secures contract and press speculation fuels rumours that another aircraft is also under discussion (253 words)

Published: 12/3/2001

According to press reports, Alexander Kolesnikov, Deputy Head of Ukraine's Kharkov Regional administration, has not only confirmed that China is to go ahead with the purchase of An-74TK's from KhGAPP in 2002, but has claimed that it is also considering the An-140 for use on domestic routes plus the possibility of licensed production. This kind of contract would be a new development, although the aircraft is in production in Iran. KhGAPP would not comment on the reports, although discussions in the late summer suggested that it might involve two aircraft initially, with the possibility of the order expanding to 30. While the press reports cite the other aircraft under discussion as being the An-140, it seems more likely to be the planned An-148 regional jet, loosely derived from the An-74TK. China has been mentioned as a potential market for this, and it was certainly a topic of conversation between the Chinese and Ukrainians during a visit in August 2001 by the Chinese Minister of Civil Aviation. Given past experience of the Russian and Ukrainian industry with China on development projects such as the An-70 and Tu-330, any assumption that the deal is signed and sealed would be premature. That said, there has been a steady improvement in relations between the two countries and China has adopted a cooler approach to western aerospace suppliers, so the possibility should not be entirely ruled out.

Article ID: 2937