Antonov An-140
AntonovAviakorHESA · Turboprop regional airliner · Modern (1992–2009)
The Antonov An-140 is a Ukrainian / Russian / Iranian short-haul twin-turboprop airliner — the post-Soviet successor to the Antonov An-24. First flight took place on 17 September 1997 at Antonov's Kharkov works. Three plants have built the type: Antonov in Kharkov (Ukraine), Kazan Aircraft Production Association (Russia), and HESA in Iran, where the licensed copy is designated IrAn-140. Combined output stands at roughly 35 airframes. Russian short-haul carriers preferred the ATR 72 and Bombardier Q400, leaving the line starved of orders; only the Iranian programme remains active, building at low rate for domestic use through 2026.
Power comes from two Klimov TV3-117VMA-SBM1 turboprops rated at 2,500 shp each. Top speed is 357 mph, range 1,300 miles, and service ceiling 24,300 ft. Standard cabin layout seats 52 passengers four-abreast. A high parasol-style wing sits above a conventional fuselage cross-section with retractable landing gear — a cleaner arrangement than the older An-24's high-wing design. Antonov pitched the An-140 directly against the ATR 42 / 72 and Bombardier Dash 8 / Q400 on the world short-haul-turboprop market. Engineering and avionics were Western-grade, but the aircraft never broke out of the post-Soviet states and Iran.
Fleet use clusters in three groups: the Russian Aerospace Forces fly about 12 airframes on utility and VIP transport duties; the Iranian Air Force and Iranian commercial carriers together operate roughly 15; and a small group of Russian short-haul lines flew the remainder. The 2014 Russia-Ukraine break shut Kharkov production. Kazan ended assembly around 2015 once Russian orders dried up. HESA has delivered about 6 IrAn-140s since 2010, and the line continues at trickle rate. Despite sound engineering, the An-140 is widely judged a commercial failure.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Antonov An-140 is a passenger plane made to carry people on short trips. It was built by teams in Ukraine, Russia, and Iran. The first An-140 took to the skies on September 17, 1997. It has two powerful propeller engines, one on each wing.
This plane can carry up to 52 passengers. It cruises at a top speed of 357 miles per hour. It can fly as far as 1,300 miles on a single trip. That is longer than a drive from New York to Chicago!
Three factories have built the An-140. One is in Kharkov, Ukraine. Another is in Kazan, Russia. The third is in Iran, where the plane is called the IrAn-140. Together, they have made about 35 of these planes.
The An-140 was built to compete with other popular turboprop planes. But many airlines chose other aircraft instead. Iran kept building the plane for its own use. Production there is expected to continue through 2026.
Fun Facts
- The An-140 can carry 52 passengers — that's bigger than most school buses!
- It first flew in 1997, the same year many kids today were not yet born.
- The plane has two turboprop engines, each producing 2,500 horsepower.
- It can fly up to 24,300 feet high — that is nearly five miles above the ground!
- Three different countries have built this same aircraft.
- The An-140 can travel up to 1,300 miles without stopping to refuel.
- Iran calls its version of the plane the IrAn-140.
- Only about 35 of these planes have ever been built in total.
Kids’ Questions
What kind of plane is the An-140?
The An-140 is a short-haul turboprop airliner. That means it uses spinning propellers instead of jet engines. It was made to carry passengers on shorter flights.
Where was the An-140 built?
The An-140 was built in three countries. Factories in Ukraine, Russia, and Iran each made their own versions. The Iranian version is called the IrAn-140.
Why were not many An-140s built?
Many airlines picked other planes instead of the An-140. Planes like the ATR 72 were more popular with buyers. So only about 35 An-140s were ever made.
Is the An-140 still being made today?
Yes! Iran is still building the IrAn-140 for use inside the country. Production is planned to go on through 2026. It is one of the few places still making this aircraft.
Variants
- An-140 (Ukrainian production)
- Original Antonov Kharkov production. About 18 built 1999-2014. The Russia-Ukraine break ended Kharkov assembly.
- An-140-100 (Russian Kazan)
- Kazan Aircraft Production Association variant. About 11 built 2005-2015.
- IrAn-140 (Iranian HESA)
- Iranian licence-built variant from HESA at Mehrabad. About 6 built since 2010 for the Iranian Air Force and Iranian commercial operators.
Notable Operators
- Russian Aerospace Forces
- About 12 An-140-100s in utility and VIP transport service. Procurement ended in 2015.
- Iranian Air Force / Iranian commercial
- About 15 IrAn-140 / An-140 airframes. HESA continues low-rate production for Iranian domestic use.
- Smaller Russian short-haul operators
- Aeroflot Cargo and similar smaller lines have flown small numbers of An-140s; commercial use stayed limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the An-140 not been commercially successful?
Russian and global short-haul airlines picked Western rivals: the ATR 72 (broader service infrastructure), the Bombardier Q400 (better speed and range), and the Embraer EMB-145 as a jet alternative. Antonov's airframe and Klimov engines were technically sound, but the An-140 could not match the established maintenance networks, parts supply chains, and pilot training pipelines behind the ATR and Bombardier products.
How many An-140s have been built?
Roughly 35 airframes total: about 18 from Kharkov in Ukraine, 11 from Kazan in Russia, and around 6 from HESA in Iran. That total is a fraction of what the ATR and Q400 lines have delivered into the same short-haul-turboprop segment.
What is the IrAn-140?
The IrAn-140 is the Iranian licence-built version, assembled by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) at Mehrabad. About 6 have been built since 2010 for the Iranian Air Force and Iranian commercial operators such as Asaman Airlines. HESA assembly continues at low rates through 2026.
How is the An-140 different from the An-24?
The An-24 is the older Soviet four-abreast 50-passenger high-wing turboprop (1962 service entry, 1,367 built). The An-140 is the post-Soviet four-abreast 52-passenger high-parasol-wing turboprop (1999 service entry, around 35 built). Antonov designed the An-140 as the An-24's commercial successor, but production numbers never came close.
Sources
See Also
- Antonov An-24 — Direct predecessor short-haul turboprop
- Antonov An-148 / An-158 — Sister modern Antonov short-haul jet
- ATR 72 — Western competitor short-haul turboprop
- Antonov An-178 — Modern Antonov medium field transport
- Antonov An-38 — Sister Antonov small short-haul turboprop