Ukrainian National Airlines to be Launch Customer for Antonov An-158 aircraft

Newly formed Ukrainian National Airlines will likely purchase the first five An-158 aircraft from the Antonov State Enterprise, which is part of state enterprise, Ukroboronprom.

This was announced during a joint press-briefing by the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and General Director of Ukroboronprom Yuriy Husyev. Relevant contracts are expected to be signed in the first or second quarter of next year.

"Ukrainian national airlines, whose sole owner is the state, need different classes of aircraft. For regional and medium-haul transport operations, we are considering the An-158, which is ideal for flights within Ukraine,” the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov said.

"We expect that the contracts will be signed directly between Antonov and Ukrainian National Airlines." An-158 is a wonderful aircraft with 99 seats. We are ready to build five planes of this kind within the next 3 years at the request of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the national air carrier. At that, the first plane shall be constructed during the first year,” General Director of Ukroboronprom Yuriy Husyev said.

Ukrainian National Airlines was established in November this year on behalf of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Its main tasks are the development of domestic air transportation, expanding the geography of flights for Ukrainians, protecting country’s strategic interests and transforming Ukraine into a major European air hub.