Azerbaijan's state-owned aviation company AZAL has signed a deal for four Antonov An-140-100 regional turboprops with Ukraine's KhGAAP aircraft facility.
Under the deal for the 52-seaters - to be operated by the Azerbaijan flag carrier Azerbaijan Airlines - one delivery is scheduled for this year and the rest next year. The -100 variant is an improved version of the 52-seater, incorporating an increased wingspan, new engine nacelles and greater fuel capacity to boost range by 300km (160nm).
The contract followed the signing of a bilateral aviation agreement which KhGAAP says "removes all restrictions on the export of Ukrainian aircraft to Azerbaijan".
Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee presented type certificates to Tupolev on 23 June for the Tu-334-100 and the western-cockpit version of the Rolls-Royce RB211-powered Tu-204 freighter, the -120CE.
Although the Tu-334 completed its certification tests late last year, the formal handing over of the certificate was delayed due to "organisational issues".
Meanwhile, the first of fiveTu-204-120CEs will be delivered to China Eastern Airlines by early next year.
Source: Flight International
