Anotonov is beginning flight tests of the An-140 turboprop following the roll-out of the first prototype at the Ukrainian design bureau's base in Kiev on 6 June. The An-140 is designed to replace ageing An-24s for passenger and cargo services, offering twice the fuel efficiency and range, as well as a cruise speed of 310kt (575km/h). Antonov also makes claims that the aircraft will give a 20-30% improvement in terms of utilisation and cost efficiency over rival Western-built types, such as the AI(R)ATR 42 and Dornier Fairchild 328, but at half the purchase price.
Source: Flight International
