Aircraft

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft has effectively postponed delivery of the Superjet 100 regional aircraft to launch customer Aeroflot until 2010.

In his report to Russian premier Vladimir Putin during the Moscow MAKS air show, United Aircraft chief Alexei Fedorov said it would begin shipments next year.

Under the previously approved schedule, the manufacturer was to hand over the first of 30 Superjets ordered by Aeroflot in December.

But Fedorov expresses confidence that Sukhoi will complete the domestic certification programme for the type before 2010.

It is unclear whether deliveries to Armavia, due to receive its first Superjet aircraft this year, are also affected.

The contract between Sukhoi and Aeroflot has a clause whereby the carrier is entitled to claim up to $1.5 million in compensation for the delay in delivering each aircraft.

Sources familiar with the deal suggest that Aeroflot has opted for claiming non-cash compensation from Sukhoi and its parent company.

It reportedly expects them to support airlines' lobbying efforts to lift customs duties temporarily from imported Western-built aircraft.

© Billypix