Saratov Airlines is close to finalizing an agreement for the lease of four An-148 formerly in service with Rossiya Airlines, Aviation EXplorer reported.

According to officials at lessor, Ilyushin Finance, official confirmation will only be given once all the relevant documents have been signed. As such, given the circumstances, it is expected the Antonov Design Bureau twinjets may return to service in autumn of this year.

Now Saratov Airlines operates two EMB-195 and seven Yak-40D on regular as well as chartered passenger flights in Russia.