Russian An-28s may get another 10 years of service. The operational life of the turboprop aircraft developed in the USSR is planned to be extended from 40 to 50 years.

The certification work was commissioned by the FGUP "GosNII GA", a subordinate organization of Rosaviatsiya, and the contract was signed on September 3. The cost of the work is over 3 million rubles, and they are planned to be completed by December 15, 2028.

According to the Rosaviatsiya registry, only 6 An-28s are currently operated in Russia. The aircraft are owned by the airlines "Sibirskaya Legkaya Aviatsiya" and "Aviatsionny Poisk i Spaseniye".

The An-28 is a light multi-purpose short take-off and landing aircraft. It can carry up to 18 passengers, as well as cargo and mail. The aircraft are used for aviation work, patrolling, search and rescue operations, and other tasks.

The An-28 made its first flight back in 1973. Serial production began in 1983 and continued until 1997.