According to Kommersant-Ukaraina, Ukrainian Aviation Group alliance (includes AeroSwit, Dnepravia and Donbassaero) intends to lease 15 An-148s and An-158s, said the vice-premier of the infrastructure Boris Kolesnikov.

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plan to lease the same number of aircrafts. The respective preliminary discussions have taken place yesterday with the participation of representatives of Antonov design bureau and Ministry of Infrastructure. Following the meeting’s results the carriers have 45 days to clarify their orders. According to Kolesnikov, the next meeting regarding this deal will be held in July.

Ministry of infrastructure should provide the profitable leasing conditions for the carriers – similar to those used by leasing companies, which deliver Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft, vice-premier noted. "We will give money to the customers and airlines in return for commitments of acquiring Antonov aircraft. The government is ready for this step ",– said Boris Kolesnikov. He specified that the government is ready to amortize interests of leasing companies’ credits for the airlines: "The state provides funding for production of An-148 but only three of them have been produced. That is why we should provide funds to the leasing companies and they will make a deal with the manufacturer ",– vice-premier noted.

The UIA’s press-service has confirmed yesterday that the airlines are considering an expansion of regional fleet by acquiring 10 or 15 An-158s in 2012-2014. "One of our requirements is that An-158 must not fall behind foreign jets by price-technical specifications ratio, including fuel efficiency ",– UIA has explained.

The conditions of jets’ delivery have not been specified yet. The Ministers declare that the carriers have stipulated that the jets must be equipped with foreign engines. "The American engine costs $800 thousands more than ours. But it is more economic (by 8%) and we can certify the jet in the EU using this engine ",– said Boris Kolesnikov. The CEO of Antonov Dmitry Keeva has stated that the concern is considering different possibilities of installing these engines. However, the president of Motor Sich, Vyacheslav Boguslaev said that take out a process against Antonov if they make this decision. "The company has commitments to us ",– he underlined.