On Monday, Vladimir Putin visited the Voronezh Aircraft-Manufacturing Company (VASO) and inspected the new Russian-Ukrainian short-haul airliner An-148 now in production.
It took Russia and Ukraine’s Antonov Design Bureau just six years to develop the aircraft in cooperation with Ukrainian and Russian component suppliers and without budgetary funding. The project received about $400 million from extra-budgetary sources. Photo: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, United Aircraft Corporation CEO Alexei Fyodorov (front), and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov inside the An-148 passenger cabin.
Vladimir Putin showed his approval to the layout An-148 cockpit.
United Aircraft Corporation CEO Alexei Fyodorov told Putin that the An-148’s executive version could seat ten passengers and had a 7,000-km range.
Vladimir Putin was completely satisfied with his visit. Photo: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, and United Aircraft Corporation CEO Alexei Fyodorov visiting the Voronezh Aircraft Manufacturing Company (VASO).
The An-148 can carry 70 to 90 passengers on regional and short-haul routes with a range of up to 5,100 km. Selected specifications: cruise speed, 780-850 kph; service ceiling, up to 12,200 m. Photo: An An-148 at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport after its maiden passenger flight from St. Petersburg.
