Aeroflot expands Sukhoi Superjet 100 fleet to 50 with new order for 20 jets

The opening day of the MAKS-2017 International Air Show, July 18, saw the signing of a contract between PJSC Aeroflot, VEB Leasing and JSC United Aircraft Corporation, for delivery of 20 Sukhoi Superjet 100s to PJSC Aeroflot, the Russian flag-carrying airline. The contract is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Aeroflot and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft in January 2015, while the first firm contract for the delivery of 30 SSJ100s was completed in 2016. With the addition of these 20 jets, Aeroflot’s fleet of SSJ100s will rise to 50, as the airline continues to operate one of the youngest fleets among the 20 largest global airlines by available seat kilometers.
The ordered jets have a two-class configuration: 12 seats in the business class compartment and 75 seats in economy class, as per the currently configured jets. The new planes will be used on domestic flights throughout Russia, on routes to CIS countries, as well as to a number of European destinations. The first aircraft from this new order is scheduled for delivery this summer and the full order is expected to be completed by July 2018.
Vitaly Saveliev, Chief Executive Officer of PJSC Aeroflot, is quoted as saying: “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.”