OREANDA-NEWS. On 27 March 2009 was announced, that in April 2009 AN-148 regional jet of a new generation starts regular flights. ANTONOV ASTC and AeroSvit airline decided to enter jointly AN-148 into operation. ANTONOV will provide carrying out of regular flights on the net the airline’s regional routes. D.S.Kiva, General Designer of ANTONOV ASTC, told about it during the visit of Prime-Minister of Ukraine to Aviant Kiev aviation plant. At the enterprise Y.V.Tymoshenko stated about readiness of Ukrainian Government to support the AN-148 project on the highest state level.

Entering the AN-148 into operation on regional routes of Ukraine demands the government to assist to solve a number of problems as AeroSvit is an equial in rights partner of the state in the project on promotion production of the national aviation industry of Ukraine. Such projects at the initial stage are always connected with additional expenses and financial risks and AeroSvit is agree to share these risks and expenses with the state. In particular, it is necessary to minimize or cancel navigational or airport fees at the initial period of operation of AN-148 and to provide efficient support in organization of technical operation of AN-148 in Ukrainian airports.

Initially the aircraft will be operated on domestic routes of the airline. In further, after all legal and technical matters will be regulated, the possibility of use the aircraft for the international flights is being considered. The AN-148 will replace AN-24 and Yak-42 types of aircraft on the routes.