Aircraft

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft is understood to have delayed the start of flight trials of its Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet until May.

In a report to the Russian cabinet, the minister for industry and energy Viktor Khristenko says that the maiden flight of the aircraft will take place next month rather than in April, as the manufacturer had previously indicated.

However, he maintains that the aircraft should gain type certification under the domestic AP-25 airworthiness standards in 2008, with the European Joint Aviation Authorities certification due to be received next year.

The Russian government has given considerable financial backing for the development of Superjet 100. designed to provide a replacement for the country's fleet of Tupolev Tu-134s.

To date, state budgetary funds allocated for the project have totalled almost Rb12 billion ($500 million). Around $600 million in funding has been secured from other sources.

© Sukhoi