Western Airlines Push Back on Superjets, But Aeroflot Wants More

摘要

The Sukhoi Superjet was planned to be different. Unlike many other Russian aircraft, it would be a success on the world market rather than only nationally, Sukhoi hoped, initially helped by a sales and marketing joint venture with Italy's Leonardo. But now that that deal has ended, the aircraft is becoming Russia-focused again, mainly for reasons that have prevent-ed previous models from succeeding: dispatch reliability and availability of spare parts.Interjet, the aircraft's main operator in the West, says it will phase out part of its Superjet 100 fleet. Brussels Airlines, which wet-leases four Superjets from City Jet, essentially confirmed it is not interested in extending the operation beyond March. Yakutia Airlines, a Russian regional carrier, considered halting Superjet operations. All have had maintenance and product support issues. On the positive side, Aeroflot signed a preliminary deal for 100 more Superjets, opening up the opportunity for Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC) to introduce an enhanced version.Since the SSJ 100 entered commercial service in 2011,132 have been delivered to airlines in Russia, Europe, Mexico, Kazakhstan and Thailand.