OREANDA-NEWS. October 18, 2010. In the building of the Government of Voronezh region contracts on the delivery of 10 regional AN-148-100E aircraft were signed. JSC "Voronezh aircraft production association" (VASO) and JSC "SBERBANK Leasing" company have signed the purchase and sale contract of the specified aircraft. JSC "Polet" Airlines" and JSC "SBERBANK Leasing" have signed the leasing agreement (finance lease).

The general director of JSC "Polet" Airlines" Anatoly Karpov has declared: "Considering the busy schedule of this aircraft type delivery, it was important for us to sign the contract this year. In the company’s plans – the AN-148 entry into service during the season of 2011. I'm sure we will cope with this task".

The general director of JSC "SBERBANK Leasing" Dmitry Zotov stated: "The strategy of the company development provides the further competence strengthening, directed on renovation of the Russian Federation fleet. Professional experience in implementation of the scale and complex structured projects with the leaders of the Russian industry makes "SBERBANK Leasing" one of the most attractive partners for realization of investment projects in aviation business".

According to the General Director of JSC "Voronezh aircraft production association" (VASO) Vitaly Zubarev, An-148 is the first serial regional aircraft of modern Russia. The deliveries of An-148 aircraft to the "Polet" Airlines" will start in March, 2011.  The contract also provides the opportunity of prescheduled deliveries.

The contract was prepared with the involvement of the IRKUT Corporation experts. The President of the Corporation Oleg Demchenko said that the development of VASO is one of the priority tasks of the business unit which is formed on the basis of the IRKUT Corporation.