PJSC Aeroflot, VEB Leasing and JSC United Aircraft Corporation have entered into a contract for the delivery to Aeroflot of twenty Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft. The contract was signed today by Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev, Vnesheconombank Chairman Sergey Gorkov and President of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Yuri Slyusar. The signing ceremony took place on the opening day of the MAKS-2017 International Air Show in the presence of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
The agreement was reached as a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Aeroflot and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft in January 2015. The first firm contract for the delivery of 30 SSJ100 aircraft was completed last year. The new agreement will bring the number of SSJ100s in Aeroflot’s fleet to 50, as the airline continues to operate one of the youngest fleets among the 20 largest global airlines by available seat kilometers.
The contracted aircraft have two-class configuration: 12 seats in the business class compartment and 75 seats in economy class. Aeroflot currently operates SSJ100 aircraft with the same cabin configuration accommodating a total of 87 passengers, meaning the servicing facility for the new aircraft will not require significant changes.
Vitaly Saveliev, Chief Executive Officer of PJSC Aeroflot, said:
“Aeroflot understands the importance of supporting domestic production, which the Russian President has spoken about on many occasions. Throughout its history Aeroflot has played a unique role as the main consumer of Russian-made aviation technology. We are putting Russian aircraft into the skies, helping to fine-tune them, and deploying them widely on commercial routes. I am confident in the further development of our cooperation in the interest of Russian aviation and our country as a whole.”
Sergey Gorkov, Chairman of Vnesheconombank, said:
“Under VEB’s new strategy, aviation is one of our priority areas for investment in high-tech industries. The contracts signed today will contribute to the development of aircraft production in Russia, the renewal of the fleet of aircraft, the expansion of domestic and international flight networks and improvements in service quality. VEB plays an important role in promoting the SSJ100 on domestic and international markets. We have created a number of support tools: credit lines for buyers, credit-leasing schemes and risk insurance through EXIAR.”
Yury Slyusar, President of UAC, said:
“We are happy to continue our cooperation with Russia’s leading airline. Expanding the number of Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft in Aeroflot’s fleet demonstrates that the airline believes in our product. UAC will continue to make every effort to ensure the operation of our aircraft complies with leading global standards.”
The new planes will be used on domestic flights throughout Russia, on routes to CIS countries, and will also fly to a number of European destinations. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered this summer. Delivery is expected to be completed exactly one year later, in July 2018.
