Aircompany Tatarstan took delivery of the first Cessna Grand Caravan 208 aircraft. The turboprop will be operated in Privolzhsky Federal District, RIA Novosti reports with reference to a representative of the republic’s Ministry of Transport and Road Facilities.

The aircraft was ferried to the Kazan international airport. "A total of 15 Cessna aircraft will be delivered to Aircompany Tatarstan acting as a consolidator in the network of a pilot project for development of regional air transportation in Privolzhsky Federal District. The aircraft will be delivered to the carrier in accordance with the decree of the government of Russia assuming subsidization of costs connected with lease payments", — the source said. He did not specify the terms of the lease agreement and cost of the aircraft.

Two more aircraft should be delivered to the carrier in May. The rest aircraft will be delivered to the airline by the end of 2013. The carrier will take delivery of the Grand Caravan EX version of the turboprop powered by PT6A-140 engines.

Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft may carry 9 passengers or 1 ton of payload. It may be operated under adverse weather conditions and from unpaved airfields with short runways.

The turboprop’s cruise speed is 340 km/h, range – 1700 km.