Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot has deployed a second Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional aircraft on its network, which is set to begin operations on 27 August.

The twinjet, serial number 95010, has been introduced under a finance leasing arrangement with state bank Vnesheconombank's specialist arm VEB Leasing. It has been configured with 12 business-class and 75 economy-class seats.

Sukhoi said the aircraft, named after renowned aviator Dmitry Ezersky, would be initially flown on a service from Moscow to St Petersburg.

The type, which has been used on routes to Nizhny Novgorod, Ekaterinburg and Ufa, will also be flown to Astrakhan from 2 September.

Aeroflot has 30 Superjets on order and is intending to acquire a further 10. "These aircraft are becoming an important part of our fleet, which is one of the youngest and most technically advanced fleets in Europe," said Aeroflot chief Vitaly Saveliev.

"The first Superjet showed its ability on domestic routes. These aircraft will serve our international routes soon."

By 24 August the Superjet has logged 223 cycles and over 356h in Aeroflot service.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news