12:50 GMT, June 5, 2009 On June 2, 2009 during the solemn ceremony devoted to the first commercial flight of AN-148 regional passenger jet of a new generation, AeroSvit Joint Stock Company and ANTONOV ASTC signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation on the programme of manufacturing and delivery of the aircraft of domestic production". According to this document, AeroSvit confirms its interest in deliveries and commercial operation of 10 aircraft of AN-148 and AN-158 types during 2010-2012. The parties jointly initiate consideration by Ministry of Ukraine of the question of necessity to establish a special working group on attraction of outside financing deliveries of the new domestic-produced aircraft to Ukrainian aviation carriers with taking into account the global experience.

Before the Memorandum signing Mr. Kostadin Botev, Director General of AeroSvit airlines, said: "Our airlines consider necessary to take part in development of aviation infrastructure of Ukraine and its aviation projects. We need the regional aircraft to provide an effective transportation of passengers within the net of our routes in Ukraine. Therefore we consider AN-148 and AN-158 as candidates to fill this niche in air fleet of the airlines".