Interjet prepared to abandon the Russian SSJ-100

The SSJ100 of Interjet

SuperJet International / Flickr

Mexican carrier Interjet may refuse to operate the Russian aircraft Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) and return them back to the manufacturer – controlled United aircraft Corporation, the company “Sukhoi Civil aircraft” (SCAC). It is reported portal FlightGlobal, citing informed sources. This is confirmed RBC a source in the Russian aviation industry.

“Yes, really. Has long [want to give] since last summer”, – said the interlocutor of RBC. According to him, claims Interjet fleet of approximately 90 aircraft and which is among the three largest carriers in Mexico, same as the Irish airline CityJet, which previously refused to use the SSJ-100: due problems with after-sales service and engines, as well as too long a supply of spare parts.

The interviewee suggested that Interjet may reallocate the ships to Cuba. Now the catalogue price of a new SSJ-100 is about $ 50 million.

“With Interjet, we have a contract in place, we are in constant contact with the airlines regarding the operation and support ships”, – said the representative of the GSS. According to him, Interjet is one of the largest operators of short-haul SSJ-100 (in the first place – “Aeroflot”). Interjet has signed with GSS the agreement on the supply of 28 aircraft. Now in its fleet is 22 such aircraft.

Later, a representative of the GSS reported that plans to return the aircraft at Interjet no. “Interjet is planning the further exploitation of his earlier SSJ-100. The company “Sukhoi Civil aircraft”, the manufacturer of the aircraft and PowerJet, the engine manufacturer, suggested Interjet solutions that will contribute to more efficient operation of SSJ-100. Interjet is currently considering the package of proposals”, – said the representative of “Dry”.

As of March 2019 GSS has shipped worldwide more than 150 SSJ-100. In addition to Mexico and Ireland flights on these ships is carried out by the Royal air force of Thailand and the government of Kazakhstan. Among Russian airlines transportation on the SSJ-100 carried out by “Aeroflot”, “Gazprom Avia”, “Yakutia”, “Yamal”, “Taimyr”, “azimuth”, “Severstal” and “Rusdzhet.” Also the main operators are the Russian interior Ministry, Lao Central Airlines (Laos), PT Sky Aviation (Indonesia).

In the beginning of 2018, Bloomberg reported, citing its sources, that a Mexican company uses components of four planes as spares for in service of the other ships. According to the Agency, Interjet went for it due to problems with the supply of spare parts for SSJ-100. But the Mexican company then stated that “strongly agree” with the statement to Bloomberg that the four Russian SSJ-100 “cannibalized” for other aircraft in this series.

According to FlightGlobal, 15 of the 22 liners SSJ-100 aircraft to Interjet Park, idling, with only seven aircraft in service. Some engines PowerJet SaM146-Russian-French production, which are used in the Russian aircraft out of order, as the Mexican airline didn’t pay for their repair, according to sources of the portal.

Additionally, in November 2018, the ambitious project of the Russian authorities on the creation of SSJ-100, which was to become the competitor of world leaders Boeing and Airbus, unexpectedly even criticized the speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko.

“We’re a great aviation country. It is impossible to develop a regional jet? This Sukhoi Superjet 100 made. Well, who needs it? It is not suitable for regional traffic. Aeroflot says: “bought, standing at the side”. Abroad no one buys it. The plane is actually 80%, if not more, foreign. And what have we achieved? And how much money is pumped? You know how much money is pumped?” – said Matvienko at the meeting with the Minister of transport Eugene Dietrich.

The first flight of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 was presented to the public on 26 September 2007. This Russian short-haul aircraft. The liner was developed by JSC “Sukhoi Civil aircraft” in strategic partnership with the Italian company Alenia Aeronautica (Aircraft subsequently Leonardo), in cooperation with the French Snecma, the American Corporation Boeing and some other foreign companies.

The project also involved the American Autronics (Curtiss Wright, supplies the sprinkler system), B/E Aerospace (oxygen system), Honeywell (auxiliary power unit), Parker (hydraulic system), Hamilton Sundstrand (electrical system), Goodrich (wheels and brakes).

At the design stage as part of the aircraft was provided to 80 percent of foreign components.

The SuperJet project cost 44 billion rubles. But because of the unreliable engine, the liners often need repair. And according to the APS, only the development of SSJ-100 has been spent $ 2 billion instead of the planned $ 120 million.