Yakovlev hopes to certificate its extended range Yak-42D-90 modification programme by the end of this year.
The modification reduces seating from 120 to 90, allowing the aircraft to operate with higher fuel loads, which boosts range to around 4,000km (2,160nm).
The development was initiated after several Russian Yak-42 operators asked for additional range and will receive full funding this year. Development costs are put at $1.5 million, with the cost of the conversion by the Saratov production plant expected to be "several hundred thousand dollars".
Source: Flight International