Fleet Plan News: Armavia takes delivery of first Superjet

The Armenian flag carrier took delivery earlier today (19 April 2011) of the first of two Sukhoi SSJ-100 Superjets (reg EK-95015, serial 95007). The aircraft is the first production example. The delivery comes seven days later than planned, although the Superjet programme has suffered rather more protracted delays during the certification process. Armavia plans to introduce the type into service later this week, between Yerevan and Moscow, and should receive the second aircraft next month. Aeroflot, the second customer, plans to introduce the SSJ into service between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod in early June 2011, delayed from 15 May  2011. The Russian flag carrier has firm orders for 30 Superjets, many if not all of which are to be acquired via financial leases, plus options on 30 more. Further orders have been received from Kartika Airlines of Indonesia (30 firm), Interjet of Mexico (15 firm + 5 options), Orient Thai (12 firm + 12 options) and Phongsavanh Airlines of Laos (3 firm + 6 options). Russian carrier Gazpromavia also signed a memorandum of intent for 10 Superjets at last year's Farnborough Air Show, although no firm order has been announced. Additional orders from domestic lessors came from Financial Leasing Company (10 firm including 2 for Yakutia Airlines) and Avialeasing PIFK (24 firm for operation by UTair Aviation + 16 options ). Orders from foreign lessors include 30 firm +15 options for Pearl Aircraft Corporation of Bermuda, 6 firm + 4 options for U.S. lessor Willis Lease Finance and 5 firm for AMA Asset Management Advisors of Switzerland. Orders lost with the demise of the carriers that made them, include 10 firm + 10 options for ItAli Airlines and 6 firm + 4 options for Dalavia. Hungarian flag carrier Malev also ordered 15 firm + 15 options, but subsequently changed hands, giving rise to doubts that the order will be fulfilled.

Why not:

• Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
• Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
• Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.