The Russian Sukhoi Superjet-100project is making up
for the image-building losses the airliner has suffered due to a number of
accidents. The aircraft maker has upgraded nodes and components to allow claims
in a move that’s largely boosted the airliner’s external competitiveness. The
Mexican Airline Interjet says it will have bought 20 Superjet-100
airliners by the end of 2014.
According to the Mexican Airline’s CEO Jose
Alvarez, the air-carrier will invest more than one billion dollars in its
purchases, using loans from Italian, French and Russian banks. The first
supplies are due as early as in May this year. The last aircraft of those
purchased is to be delivered in December next year.
The acquisition of 20 Russian-made Superjet-100
planes will enable Interjetto fly to as many as 80 new destinations,
both at home and abroad, specifically to the United
States and Colombia.
The Chief Analyst with the Russian AVIAPORT
agency, Oleg Panteleev, feels that the deal to be wrapped up is very interesting
and important both to the Russian aircraft-makers and the Mexican air-carrier.
Here’s more from Oleg Panteleev.
"Interjet has been quickly growing, so it
will need just this kind of an effective regional 100-seater, Oleg Panteleev
says. The Russian aircraft performance does meet the Mexican airline’s
requirements, but Interjet wants all the aircraft to be delivered on time, and
it will expect the Russian plane’s reliability and time on the wing to be in
conformity with what the aircraft-maker says they are".
The Superjet-100 airliner will replace the
A-320 Airbuses that Russia
bought from Europe years ago and that are overage now.
Besides, Superjet-100 consumes 15% less fuel. Mexicans will continue
purchasing Airbuses, but Superjet-100 airliners seem to perform more
efficiently at high-level airports.
Just how efficient the Russian airliner will prove
in Mexico will
obviously determine the future of the aircraft on the international market. The
airliner has suffered a spate of crashes in recent years, which caused
potential buyers to think better of their plans to purchase it. Anyway, experts
are certain that Superjet-100 will cope with its so-called “childhood
diseases” that are typical of all new aircraft, and will eventually prove
attractive to many partners. The experts’ opinion is shared by Victor Pryadka,
Director-General of the Alliance Company of Avintelaviation
technology.
If Russia
adheres to the time of delivery, and the operation of the aircraft in Mexico
proves successful, more Latin American countries will seek to buy the plane.
Although the aircraft market is saturated, Superjet-100 has actually few
rivals. South East Asian nations have taken interest in the Russian airliner.
But the Sukhoi Company must pursue a correct marketing strategy to turn that
interest into actual acquisition contracts. Meanwhile, the company engineers
are doing their best to ensure that the contract will be carried out.
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