Superjet International confident of securing further Western customers

Superjet International is again at Paris in its quest to secure a second Western customer for theSukhoi Superjet.

The Venice-based joint venture between the Russian airframer and Alenia Aermacchi is responsible for sales of the SSJ100 in the western hemisphere, but only Mexico’s Interjet has ordered the 86-seater, adding to its original order for 20 with a deal for 10 more aircraft earlier this year.

Interjet has just taken delivery of its 16th aircraft – its 17th is on display at Paris, and all 30 will be handed over by the end of next year.

Last October, Belgian carrier VLM became the first European airline to commit to the SSJ100 when it signed a lease deal with Ilyushin Finance for two of the longer-range versions, with options for a further 12. However, it has emerged that VLM is now evaluating alternatives to the Superjets as replacements for its Fokker 50 turboprop fleet.

Superjet International chief executive Nazario Cauceglia says his executives are “working very hard with them [VLM]” to secure the deal.

Cauceglia admits that the market for regional jets is tough. “It is stagnating except for in the USA. There has been nothing for our competitors either.” However, he adds: “I believe the market will recover.”

Superjet International has been focusing its sales efforts on Latin America, where a number of governments are friendly towards Moscow and where state-influenced airlines may be minded to buy Russian. However, Cauceglia also believes “there is lots of opportunity” for the Superjet in Africa.

However, Paris again gives Superjet International – and its sister company Sukhoi Civil Aircraft – a chance to “show the world that our product is a worldwide aircraft”, says Cauceglia.

He adds that European sanctions on Russia over its involvement in Ukraine have not harmed Superjet International’s supply of aircraft or sales prospects. “So far, we have not been affected,” he says.

At the show, Superjet International is offering an app that will guide visitors around the aircraft on the static display using “beacons” – bluetooth devices that transmit packets of data to smartphones once they come within a certain range. Depending on where they are on the aircraft, guests will receive information on specific features of the cabin and systems.