The state-owned plant in Kharkov, Ukraine, is to deliver four Antonov An-140 regional turboprops in the next two months to three airlines. Odessa Airlines' first An-140 (below) was displayed at last month's Farnborough air show and, according to Antonov deputy general designer Oleg Bogdanov, the Odessa, Ukraine-based carrier is due to take two more this month. Ukrainian operators Donetsk Aviation Enterprise and Kharkov Airlines will also take one aircraft each. The deals have been made possible through new financial leasing arrangements, says Bogdanov. "The airlines did not seriously consider taking An-140s until the Ukrainian government approved our deal with the Ukrainian Railways, allowing financial leasing schemes mastered by the railways to be used in aviation," he says.
Source: Flight International
