Antonov An-148 short-haul passenger aircraft breaks down too often, the only Russian carrier using the planes said on Wednesday, dealing a blow to the manufacturer's hopes for the plane.
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said last week it would invest an additional $232 million in development and production of the An-148 at its Irkut Corporation subsidiary. Irkut hopes the planes will fill about 10 percent of the market for 61-99 seat aircraft in 2010-2028.
"The reliability of An-148 planes is below the previously declared level, and is not enough to provide safe and regular flights," said GTK Rossiya, which has five An-148 planes in its commercial fleet.
The airline said in a statement that 235 malfunctions occurred during 1,725 flight hours from June to August. Maintenance and repair works took 2,139 hours, or about 89 days.
Irkut said earlier this month it would manage the An-148 program, promote the plane on domestic and foreign markets, set terms and agreements with the developer and key suppliers, and would be the sole seller of An-148s to airlines, leasing companies and the government, replacing Ilyushin Finance Co.
The aircraft will be sold in Russia, the CIS, Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, India, and other states. Eight Russian and a number of foreign companies have so far ordered An-148s.
MOSCOW, September 29 (RIA Novosti)
