Aeroflot – Russian Airlines is considering buying Antonov An-158 (in the class of 100 seats) and Irkut MS-21 airliners (150-180 seats), said Aeroflot general director Vitaly Savelyev.

He spoke to journalists during the Transport of Russia forum being held in Moscow. Savelyev further collaborated that the Russian flag carrier has placed large orders for western equipment, including 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB next-general wide body jetliners.

“We also study the An-158 and place our hopes in the promising MS-21 now under development”, Savelyev said. He noted that the Aeroflot group has already placed orders for the Antonov An-148 (68-80 seat class), and that the type has been operating with St. Petersburg based GTK Rossiya for one year.

Reportedly, Aeroflot has prepared a wish-list that calls for 50 MS-21, 15 An-148 and 50 An-140 (50 seat class). The An-158 emerged most recently, as possible alternative to the Sukhoi Superjet 100, whose first deliverable examples are being prepared for delivery to Aeroflot in early 2011.