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An-148 at Samara

The An-148 has become a unique for the last two decades project implemented by joint efforts of Russian and Ukrainian designers for quantity production. The competitive advantages of this new aircraft include its efficiency which is vitally important given the high prices for jet fuel, but also reasonable price of the airliner both for large airlines and regional air carriers. Presently, there are only 2 types of aircraft presented in regular service here in Russia, but the producers of the An-148 intend to introduce another 14 aircraft of this type in 2010 as there is much demand for it. 

Rossiya Airlines, a Saint Petersburg-based carrier, now plans to use this new aircraft type on its scheduled route Saint Petersburg – Samara. 

For information: 

The Antonov An-148 is a regional jet aircraft designed by the Ukrainian aircraft firm Antonov together with 240 enterprisers from 14 countries, including Russia, the USA, and France. The aircraft is currently produced by Kyiv Aircraft Plant AVIANT, Ukraine, and Voronezh Aircraft Production Association, Russia. Modern radio-navigation equipment, multifunction indicator, electric remote flight control systems allow for operations along any route including those with high intensity in normal and adverse weather conditions, day and night. The base An-148-100 can carry 65 - 80 passengers, depending on customer’s needs, over a range of up to 5,000 km. It has a cruising speed of 820 – 870 km/h. 

On December 21, 2009 the Russian-built An-148 made its first commercial passenger flight (ПЛ 135) from Saint Petersburg to Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport). On January 20, 2010 another aircraft of this type made its first passenger flight from Saint Petersburg to Moscow. 

On January 16, 2010 the An-148 made its first Saint Petersburg – Rostov-on-Don flight (ПЛ 721). 

On January 21, 2010 the An-148 made its first commercial flight (ПЛ 751) from Saint Petersburg to Samara.