Paul Duffy/MOSCOW
Antonov has confirmed that it has signed a contract with the Iranian Government for the construction of 80 An-140 new generation turboprops.
The aircraft, which are specified to be passenger-only versions, will be assembled from parts supplied by the Ukrainian company to the Shakir factory in Iran. The plant was originally constructed, with US funding, for the assembly of Bell helicopters. The two Iranian customers are understood to be Iran Air and Iran Asseman Airlines.
The production contract specifies the aircraft's end use as being for Iranian domestic service, and also demands that none is to be produced for export. Other sources suggest, however, that the Iranians have sought permission to build up to an additional160 aircraft for possible export to CIS countries.
The Kharkov Aircraft Production factory, which will build the An-140, has opposed this proposition, and it is understood that a Ukrainian Government decision is awaited.
Meanwhile, Tupolev sources say that, although a delegation from the company visited Iran in September to discuss the possible assembly of a large number of Tu-334 twinjets, no agreement has been concluded, and "substantial differences" need to be resolved. Development of the Tu-334 programme has been delayed indefinitely because of funding difficulties, and the first aircraft has yet to be flown.
Source: Flight International
