The solemn ceremony dedicated to arrival of new An-158 aircraft to Havana was held atJosé Martí International Airport. It is the first serial aircraft of the type delivered to Cubana (three aircraft will be delivered to the carrier).
The contract on delivery of An-158 aircraft was signed by Ilyushin Finance & Co. (IFC) leasing company and Cubana at MAKS-2011 airshow. According to the CEO of IFC, Alexander Rubtsov, the option for three aircraft of the type will be exercised soon. These jets will be delivered to the customer in the third quarter of 2014. In general IFC intends to purchase a total of 10 An-158 aircraft. The corresponding contract with the Ukrainian Aviant plant was signed at Le Bourget 2011 airshow (the contract includes option for 10 more jets).
The jets are being delivered in the network of governmental decree N141 about the provision of guarantees on state credits signed in February 2013 during the visit of Dmitry Medvedev to Cuba. It is the first delivery carried out in the network of the decree. "Governmental decree N141 expands the capabilities of Russian leasing companies and forms an important basis for further deliveries of Russian-produced aircraft", - Alexander Rubtsov noted. Roseksimbank and a Panamanian leasing company are also taking part in the deal. According to the contract, the jets are delivered to Cubana under conditions of financial leasing for a period of 14 years. Rubtsov said that the same scheme may be used for deliveries of Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft to South-East Asia. IFC and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) are considering such possibility and the firm contract on delivery of 15 SSJ 100s with an option for another 5 aircraft of the type should be signed over the next couple of months.
Despite the fact that the aircraft is manufactured by Ukrainina Aviant plant, Russia is interested in promoting An-158. According to the Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, Russia is interested in supporting airframers and their suppliers. The share of components of An-158 aircraft manufactured by Russian enterprises is 61%. The jet is being manufactured in cooperation with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), United Engine Corporation (UEC) and Russian Technologies State Corporation. The enterprises are supplying materials, aircraft systems, avionics, components of the airframe, interior, etc. Russian enterprises are also taking part in production of D-436-148 engine. About 7-8% of An-158’s components are manufactured in France, Germany and USA. However, this fact does not violate the sanctions against Cuba imposed by the USA.
Brigadier General Ramón Martínez Echevarría, president of the Corporation CACSA of the Civil Aviation, said: "We are impressed by the outstanding results of An-148 jets operated by Rossiya – Russian Airlines and we expect the same from An-158 aircraft". The jet will perform its first domestic flight on May 1st 2013 and it will start performing international flights to Mexico, Jamaica, Nicaragua, etc. in late 2013.
