Antonov prolongs service life for Cubana’s six An-158s

Tardy component deliveries from Russia and Ukraine have caused a prolonged grounding of Cubana's Ukrainian-made passenger jets (Oleg V. Belyakov - AirTeamImages / Wikimedia)

Ukraine’s state-owned airframer Antonov has issued airworthiness directives (AD) for the An-158 regional jet enabling Cubana de Aviacion to continue operating its six of the type. Cubana, which is the world’s only An-158 operator, will now be able to keep the fleet flying until a total of 3,600 cycles per airframe has been reached, or for approximately another six months, reads the OEM’s press release.

Antonov says it will perform the necessary upgrades on Cubana’s An-158s as part of the contract. The manufacturer will also set up a parts pool for the type, and will arrange component deliveries via international logistics providers in order for the carrier to resume An-158 operations and avoid prolonged AOG situations in the future.

Antonov and Cubana are sketching a full fleet support deal to cover all of the airline’s An-158s with after-sales support. The preliminary agreement was reached in the course of talks on April 24 and 25.

The An-158 is a 99-seat modification of the 75-seat An-148. Final assembly of the type was performed at Antonov’s Kyiv facility. The aircraft has a range of 2,500 km and an airspeed of up to 870 km/h. It is certified to operate from unpaved runways in remote areas.

In 2013, Russian lessor Ilyushin Finance Co. and South American Aircraft Leasing (SAAL) of Panama, which finances aircraft procurement deals for Cubana, signed an agreement on six An-158s for the Cuban flag carrier. The last of the batch was delivered to the operator in June 2015.

Cuban newspaper Ahora cites Cubana Commercial Director Yoanka Acosta as saying that delayed part deliveries caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine have resulted in postponements and cancellations of the carrier’s flights performed by its An-158s. Of the airline’s 116 scheduled flights to the resort destination of Holguin planned for the past several months, 38 had to be canceled and a further 36 were delayed for technical reasons.

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New AN−158 is getting ready to fly to Cuba

Till the end of the year ANTONOV is going to transfer one more AN−158 and AN−148 to Cuba.

The next AN−158 serial regional jet passenger (with registration No.СU−T1715 ) in 97 seats layout has already been built. Now the aircraft passes the flight production tests program. Till the end of this month it is planned to be delivered to the operator – Cubana de Aviacion. This aircraft will become the fifth AN−158 in the fleet of the Cuban airline. For July 1, its predecessors total flight time equals to more than 3800 hours, they performed more than 2200 commercial flights on regional routes of Caribbean countries. Flights to Canada, Columbia and Mexico are planned to be open.

The First AN−158 Has Entered into Operation

a ceremony of the AN−158 first regional jet delivery to Cubana de Aviación Airline, Cuba, was held. This aircraft with 97−seat layout, ordered by Ilyshin Finance Company, was constructed at the ANTONOV serial plant. This Russian Leasing Company provides the AN−158 delivery to the Cuban company on terms of leasing.

Events were held with participation of Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine. In his speech he said in particular: “Today we are handing over the first AN−158 serial aircraft. This means that Ukrainian aviation building is reviving. This magnificent aircraft will continue good traditions of ANTONOV Design Bureau, ANTONOV plant and all our country. An advanced future is to be open towards the enterprise”.

Ricardo Castillan Miranda, Vice President of the National Aviation Corporation of Republic of Cuba, expressed his satisfy with the execution of contract on the AN−158 delivery: “Today it is a great day for us. We receive the first AN−158 serial aircraft on the ANTONOV highly distinguished enterprise we have a long−standing and fruitful cooperation with. For Cuba ANTONOV aircraft symbolize bright friendship between our nations”.

The Act of the aircraft acceptance was signed by: Dmytro Kiva, President – General Designer of the ANTONOV Company, Olexandr Rubtsov , Director General of Ilyshin Finance Company, Ricardo Santillan Miranda, Vice President of the National Aviation Corporation of Republic of Cuba.

Delivered AN−158 has become the first among 3 such airplanes that will enter the fleet of Cubana de Aviación Aircompany. On April 21, it will fly controlled by mixed Ukrainian−Cuban crew to Cuba. In the ferry flight from Kiev to Havana, AN−158 will have two intermediate flight stops in Keflavik, Iceland, and in Galifax, Canada. The second airplane is planning to be delivered to Cuba in June of this year, the third one – in July. Press−service of the ANTONOV Company