OREANDA-NEWS. November 19, 2010. AN-148 regional jet of a new generation flew from Kiev to Zhuhai (China) to participate in China Air Show 2010, which takes place within the period from 16th to 21st of November. This passenger aircraft can be operated at wide net of airfields with both unpaved and concrete runways. Due to this feature aircraft of AN-148 family can be effectively used in the programof exploration of western territories of China.

Delegation of ANTONOV Company is headed by Dmytro S. Kiva, President – General Designer. “Cooperation with China is one of priorities for the coming years for our enterprise. ANTONOV Company, as a permanent participant in the China Air Show, is glad to present its modern programs at China Air Show 2010”, - he says.

In addition to AN-148 intended to carry 68-85 passengers, ANTONOV will present new projects developed on its basis 99-seat AN-158 and AN-168 of high level of comfort.

ANTONOV will familiarize participants and guests of the show with new aircraft of AN-74 multipurpose family including the program of design of the modernized transport version and that for maritime patrol. A number of considerable improvements including installation of the newest means of piloting, navigation and communications differ them from their predecessors.

Especial additional equipment on the aircraft will convert it into AN-74MP version capable to patrol the sea surface, to recognize the ships-trespassers, to perform search and rescue operations, electronic and radio reconnaissance, to control pollution of the waters.

ANTONOV airplanes, combining their designer’s wide experience with the most innovative aviation technologies, are well known in China. Cooperation between ANTONOV and Chinese enterprises was started more than 50 years ago. During the last years ARJ21 regional jet and Y8F600 transport were designed in China with the assistance of ANTONOV’s specialists. Using the positive experience gained from such fruitful interaction and the newest achievements in the field of transport, multipurpose and regional passenger aircraft, ANTONOV is ready to take part in new projects with the Chinese aviation industry and in the modernization of ANTONOV aircraft currently being operated in China. In addition, joint work on the extension of service life of the AN-24, AN-26, AN-30 and AN-12 will allow these aircraft to continue to show how effective they are for many years to come.

Chinese customers can use AN-124-100 Ruslans of ANTONOV AIRLINES. During the last 2 years, these airplanes carried more than 5000 t of various cargoes including consumer's goods, airplanes and helicopters, coal-mining equipment, electronic generators from and to China.

Further development of cooperation in the aircraft design and construction industry is supported at the highest state levels of both Ukraine and China. Perspectives for such further cooperation were discussed during the visit of Mr. Victor Yanukovich, President of Ukraine, to China in September 2010.