This short-range aircraft made its first flight in 1966. Though a jet, the Yak 40 was required to operate from primitive airports without paved runways or any other facilities in the world's severest climates ranging from southern republics to the arctic conditions of northern Siberia. It is a very small airline plane to be jet-powered, as it seats only about 30. The plane has three rear engines, and does the short-range routes for the airlines of the Eastern Block. 1011 were produced, the last in 1980 in Saratov.