Superjet 100 sales set to grow

Russia’s Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) has already logged more than 100,000 flight hours since it entered commercial operation in April 2011. This type flies to over 130 destinations in the fleets of both Russian and foreign carriers. However, the commercial success of the program remains fairly modest while the aircraft’s manufacturer, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC), is now seeking new ways to boost sales.

The latest serious effort in this area was made this past May, when the SSJ 100 got a chance to break into the promising Chinese market with a new lease scheme agreed between SCAC’ parent company United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the Russia-China Investment Fund, the Xixian New Area Administrative Committee, and the Chinese company New Century International Leasing. The parties signed a framework agreement in Moscow to set up a joint venture based in the Sino-Russian Silk Road Hi-Tech Industrial Park in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. The JV would offer Superjets to Chinese and Southeast Asian carriers under operational lease agreements. The partners expect the enterprise to buy up to 100 SSJ 100s within the first three years of operation, to a total value of about $3.5 billion in list prices.