Antonov An-148

Antonov

Company type	Aerospace manufacturer
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1946
Founder	Oleg Antonov
Headquarters	Kyiv , Ukraine
Products	Aircraft, including An-148 regional jet airliner
Website	www.antonov.com

The Antonov An-148 (Ukrainian: Антонов Ан-148) is a regional jet airliner developed and manufactured by the Ukrainian company Antonov. Initiated in the 1990s, its inaugural flight occurred on 17 December 2004. The aircraft successfully completed its certification process by 26 February 2007. It offers a maximum operational range of 2,100–4,400 km (1,100–2,400 nmi; 1,300–2,700 mi) and can accommodate between 68 and 85 passengers, depending on seating arrangements.

The Antonov An-158 represents a longer fuselage variant of this model, capable of seating up to 100 passengers.

After the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 in February 2018, Russian authorities mandated the grounding of all An-148 and An-158 aircraft within Russia through the Ministry of Transport. Furthermore, by May 2018, Cubana de Aviación suspended operations of its An-158 fleet due to multiple technical complications. Up until late 2018,Template:Fix/category production of the Antonov An-148 was also carried out in Russia by the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association. However, due to deteriorating political relations between Ukraine and Russia, manufacturing within Russia was halted. The final An-148 assembled in Russia was completed in October 2018.

Development

File:Antonov An-148-100A, Antonov Design Bureau AN1195930.jpg

The initial prototype, which undertook its first flight on 17 December 2004.

File:Antonov An-158, Antonov Design Bureau AN1688634.jpg

The inaugural An-158 in April 2010, prior to its debut presentation

The origins of the An-148 trace back to the early 1990s when development began on a passenger variant of the Antonov An-74, led by Petro Balabuev. By 2001, this initiative was rebranded as the An-148. While retaining an extended version of the An-74's fuselage, the aircraft’s wing was entirely redesigned. Initially, the project incorporated Motor Sich D-436-148 engines. Consideration has also been given to alternative variants powered by Western engines producing between 58.86–78.48 kN (6,002–8,003 kgf; 13,230–17,640 lbf) of thrust, such as the General Electric CF34 or Rolls-Royce BR700.

In 2002, production commenced on the first three prototypes at AVIANT. The maiden flight of the initial prototype occurred on 17 December 2004, followed by the second prototype entering flight testing in April 2005. Throughout the certification process, these two prototypes collectively completed approximately 600 flights. On 26 February 2007, certification was granted by both the Interstate Aviation Committee of Russia and Ukraine's State Aviation Administration for the aircraft, its D-436-148 engine, and the auxiliary power unit AI-450-МS.

Manufacturing of the An-148 is carried out at Ukraine’s Kyiv AVIANT facility (currently known as Antonov Serial Production Plant) as well as Russia's Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO). The first serially produced An-148 from VASO’s Voronezh plant took flight on 28 June 2009. Although multiple companies contribute to this program, Russian suppliers provide at least 70% of the aircraft’s components. The price range for an An-148 is estimated between $24 and $30 million. A significant challenge throughout the project has been accelerating production rates; initially, the independent AVIANT plant struggled to meet demand, prompting increased assembly involvement by VASO. In June 2017, VASO declared that only two more Russian-built An-148 units would be delivered before ceasing further development of the model. Subsequently, in early 2018, Ukraine imposed a ban on selling Progress D-436 engines to Russia due to geopolitical tensions following the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

For operators in Siberia, Antonov envisions a variant featuring an increased maximum takeoff weight and an expanded central fuel tank capacity, extending its range with a 75-passenger load from approximately 2,198 km (1,187 nmi; 1,366 mi) to 3,598 km (1,943 nmi; 2,236 mi). Additionally, an "E" version is planned to offer a specialized range of about 5,100 km (2,800 nmi; 3,200 mi), serving as a foundation for the "E1" model capable of nonstop flights from Moscow to Vladivostok (approximately 6,995 km (3,777 nmi; 4,346 mi)) carrying 44 passengers.

Design

File:Antonov An-148-100E, Angara Airlines AN2207570.jpg

Flight deck

File:Antonov An-148-100E, Angara Airlines AN2208296.jpg

2+3 seating arrangement

The An-148 is a high-wing monoplane powered by a pair of turbofan engines housed in pods beneath the wings. This design choice helps shield both the engines and wing structure from damage caused by debris. Equipped with an integrated autodiagnostic system and an auxiliary power unit, along with its wing design, the aircraft is capable of operating from airfields with limited infrastructure. Its flight and navigation systems include five 15 by 20 cm (5.9 by 7.9 in) liquid crystal display screens produced by Russia's Aviapribor, complemented by a fly-by-wire control system. These features enable the An-148 to conduct operations around the clock, under both instrument flight rules and visual flight rules, even on congested air routes. The main landing gear retracts into the fuselage similarly to the Boeing 737, with partial doors covering the gear legs but leaving parts of the tires visible. Additionally, built-in boarding stairs allow passengers to embark and disembark without relying on external ground support. The manufacturer highlights the fuel efficiency of the Motor Sich D-436-148 engines as a key advantage.

The primary variant, the An-148-100 regional aircraft, accommodates 70 passengers with a seat pitch of 864 mm (34.0 in), or up to 80 passengers at a tighter 762 mm (30.0 in) pitch in a single-class 2+3 seating configuration. It can also be arranged in multiple-class layouts, typically featuring a business class section with four seats abreast, resulting in reduced passenger capacity.

Operational history

In April 2005, Ilyushin Finance Leasing Company placed the initial order for ten An-148 aircraft on behalf of Krasair airline, including an option for five additional planes valued at $270 million.

The An-148 commenced commercial operations on 2 June 2009 with Ukrainian airline Aerosvit. Its inaugural passenger flight connected Kharkiv and Kyiv, flying under the registration UR-NTA. By November that year, Aerosvit had incorporated the An-148 into its Kyiv–Odesa and Simferopol–Lviv routes, conducting two daily flights averaging four to five hours each.

On 21 December 2009, Russian carrier Rossiya introduced the An-148 into its fleet. The first passenger service was flight FV135 between Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg and Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow. By 20 May 2010, Rossiya’s An-148 aircraft had logged 915 flight hours and completed 710 landings. However, Rossiya reported reliability concerns with the type. Technical difficulties combined with slower-than-expected pilot training resulted in pilot shortages initially. Despite these challenges, operational performance improved by 2011.

Starting on 15 February 2010, Aerosvit began international flights to the European Union, specifically Poland.

The first serial production model of the An-158 was delivered on 18 April 2013 to Cuba’s national airline, Cubana de Aviación. Antonov indicated that Cubana had placed orders for two additional aircraft; other sources suggest a total order of ten units. On 28 April 2013, Antonov handed over a third An-158 to Cubana and signed a contract for three more.

In April 2016, Indian firm Reliance Defense Limited partnered with Antonov to develop an aircraft based on the An-148/An-158 platform for both defense and commercial applications.

By April 2017, Cubana de Aviación suspended its Havana–Guantánamo flights due to "technical problems" affecting its An-158 fleet. The Havana–Holguín route also experienced disruptions: out of 116 scheduled flights during early 2017, 38 were cancelled and 36 significantly delayed. Yoanka Acosta, head of Cubana’s commercial division, explained that while the aircraft were leased from Ukraine, spare parts were sourced from Russia; ongoing conflicts between these countries complicated maintenance logistics. Later that month, Antonov and Cubana representatives signed a service agreement extending navigation certifications for up to 3,600 flights and ensuring spare parts supply, though no timeline for full normalization was provided.

Following a crash on 11 February 2018, Russia’s aviation authority Rostransnadzor suspended all An-148 operations within Russia in March 2018.

In May 2018, Cubana grounded its entire An-158 fleet after receiving directives from Cuba’s National Aviation Authority citing "multiple recurring failures" involving mechanical, hydraulic, electrical systems as well as software algorithms. Additional concerns included design and manufacturing defects affecting flight controls, structural cracks, and engine temperature anomalies exceeding normal limits.

Production figures

Total	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004
47	3	2	3	5	5	9	4	6	6	2	0	0	0	1	1

On 18 September 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence reported an attack targeting Chkalovsky Air Base, near Moscow. They claimed that an An-148 was among the damaged aircraft during this raid.

Variants

File:Air Koryo Antonov An-148-100B.jpg

The An-148 measures 29.13 m in length

File:An-158 UR-NTN (6086048444).jpg

The An-158 is longer by 1.7 m

File:Antonov An-148-300MP scale model.jpg

Conceptual military version An-148-300MP

An-148-100A

the primary model of the An-148 series, accommodating 85 passengers in a high-density single-class layout or 68 passengers in a dual-class arrangement, with an operational range of approximately 2,100 km (1,100 nmi; 1,300 mi).

An-148-100B

variant designed for increased range capability, extending up to 3,500 km (1,900 nmi; 2,200 mi).

An-148-100E

further extended range model reaching up to 4,400 km (2,400 nmi; 2,700 mi), featuring a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 43.7 t (43,700 kg; 96,000 lb).

An-148-200

incorporates the rear fuselage design shared with the An-158, allowing for a maximum seating of 89 passengers in a dense configuration compared to 85 in the An-148-100. Production is planned in Kyiv alongside the An-158.

An-148-300

formerly known as the An-168, this business-oriented variant seats between 8 and 40 passengers and offers a range up to 7,000 km (3,800 nmi; 4,300 mi).

An-148DRLV

a proposed airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) model.

An-158

features an elongated fuselage accommodating 99 passengers in a standard single-class configuration. This version also includes wingtip fences and completed its maiden flight on 28 April 2010. Certification flights were scheduled for completion by the end of 2010, with Russian certification granted on 3 March 2011. The aircraft underwent high-altitude testing at airports in Ecuador (Latacunga / Cotopaxi International Airport, elevation 2806 m AMSL) and Bolivia (La Paz / El Alto International Airport, elevation 4061 m AMSL) in November 2013, preparing documentation for corresponding type certificate supplements.

An-178

cargo transport adaptation capable of carrying payloads up to 15 t (15,000 kg; 33,000 lb). It utilizes wing outer panels (including winglets), front fuselage with cockpit, and nosewheel assembly derived from the An-158. The cargo bay has been marginally enlarged and features an additional set of main landing gear wheels on each side. Initially designated as the An-148T, this model was considered for propulsion by the Progress AI-727 turbofan engine.

HESA IrAn-148

designation assigned to the An-148 aircraft proposed for licensed assembly from knockdown kits within Iran.

Orders and deliveries

The table below summarizes all identified orders and deliveries of An-148 aircraft. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether every delivered unit is currently in active service:

Airline	Ordered	Delivered	References
Template:Country data North KoreaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Air Koryo	2	2
Angara Airlines	5	5
Ministry of Defence	15	15
Ministry of Emergency Situations	2	2
Russian Presidential Administration	5	3
Template:Country data UkraineTemplate:Namespace detect showall Ukraine Air Enterprise	2	2
Border Guard Service of Russia	3	2
Template:Country data CubaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Cubana de Aviación	6	6
Total	40	37

Incidents and accidents

• On 5 March 2011, an Antonov An-148 constructed by VASO, bearing the test registration 61708, experienced an in-flight breakup during a test flight over Russia's Belgorod Oblast, resulting in the deaths of all six crew members aboard. The investigation revealed that the flight crew allowed the aircraft to exceed its "Never Exceed" speed by more than 60 knots during an emergency descent, which caused the structural failure. Observers on the ground witnessed one of the wings detaching mid-flight. This aircraft was intended for delivery to Myanmar.
• On 11 February 2018, an Antonov An-148 operating as Saratov Airlines Flight 703 crashed shortly after departing from Ramenskoye near Moscow. The flight carried 65 passengers alongside six crew members, with no survivors. This incident marked the first fatal commercial crash involving this aircraft model.

Specifications

File:Ан-148.jpg

Three-view diagram

Antonov An-148 technical data

Variant	148-100E	158 *
Flight crew	2
Passenger capacity	68–85	86–99
Seat pitch	30–35 in	30–34 in
Cargo volume	14.60 m3 (516 cu ft)	–
Overall length	29.13 m (95 ft 7 in)	30.83 m (101 ft 2 in)
Wingspan	28.91 m (94 ft 10 in)
Wing surface area	87.32 m2 (939.9 sq ft)
Height	8.19 m (26 ft 10 in)
Cabin dimensions	3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) width × 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) height
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)	43,700 kg (96,300 lb)
Maximum payload	9,000 kg (20,000 lb)	5,000 kg (11,000 lb)
Operating empty weight (OEW)	22,000 kg (49,000 lb)
Maximum fuel capacity	12,050 kg (26,570 lb)
Engines (turbofan x 2)	Progress D-436-148	D-436
Thrust per engine (x 2)	14,000 lbf; 63 kN	15,100 lbf; 67.0 kN
Service ceiling	12,200 m (40,000 ft)
Cruise speed	800 to 870 km/h (430 to 470 kn)
Range (75 passengers / max payload)	4,400 km (2,400 nmi)	2,500 km (1,300 nmi)
Fuel consumption rate	1,650 kg/h (3,600 lb/h)	1,800 kg/h (4,000 lb/h)
Takeoff distance at MTOW	1,885 m (6,184 ft)	1,900 m (6,200 ft)

External links

File:Commons-logo.svg Media related to at Wikimedia Commons

• Official Antonov webpage for the An-148
• Official Antonov webpage for the An-158
• Promotional footage of the An-148 provided by Antonov
• 3D representation Antonov ASTC. An-148 twin jet airliner available for the ″3D Buildings″ feature in Google Earth
• 3D depiction An-148 jet aircraft taking off, Kyiv accessible within Google Earth's ″3D Buildings″ layer