Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

The Sukhoi SSJ100 airliner on display here at the Farnborough International Airshow represents an important sales breakthrough for the Russian-made narrowbody. It is the first of two 98-seat SSJ100s so far delivered to European launch customer CityJet, out of 15 aircraft that the Irish carrier last month started to operate under 12-year leases from the Superjet International joint venture between Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company and Italy’s Leonardo-Finmeccanica group.

 


According to Superjet International CEO Nazario Cauceglia, a third aircraft will go to CityJet’s Dublin headquarters in October and another five aircraft will be delivered during the first half of 2017. The remaining eight SSJ100s are due to follow from the end of 2018. The reason for the delay is that these aircraft will include significant upgrades to allow the twinjet to operate at steep approach, shortfield airfields like London City Airport, which is a key destination for CityJet. Once certified, these upgrades will be retrofitted to the first batch of SSJ100s.

 


Standard airfield performance for the current 101,150-pound Mtow SSJ100 is a 5,679 feet takeoff length and 5,348 for landing. The aircraft can fly sectors of up to 1,645 nm, with Mach 0.81 maximum speed and a 12-minute time to climb to FL300.

 


New winglets designed by Sukhoi are the main feature of the upgrade package, which will also include a new flap setting to improve takeoff performance and modifications to the braking system software to reduce landing distance. The manufacturer is working on changes to the flight controls to allow a slower approach speed as part of an overall plan to improve the SSJ100’s airfield performance. In October 2015, the aircraft completed EASA certification for Cat IIIa, P-Rnav and VNav approaches.

 


“We see big opportunities for a 100-seater aircraft because we can deliver better quality air transportation for low- and medium-density routes that allow passengers to avoid low-cost carriers, deliver better yields to airlines and connect more city pairs,” Superjet International sales and commercial director Eduardo Munhos de Campos told AIN. “We worked with CityJet to identify an ideal solution for them, not only for the aircraft but also a package to support the aircraft. This solution mitigated the perceived risk of being the first [SSJ100] operator in Europe and it has opened up the market for us in a big way.”

 


CityJet mainly operates out of Dublin, Cork and London City with service to cities in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. It intends to phase out its current fleet of 18 Avro RJ85s and also operates 6 CRJ900s. Until the upgraded SSJ100s enter service, the initial aircraft will be used for wet lease and charter services.

 


Superjet’s other export success is Mexican carrier Interjet, which has now taken delivery of 23 out of the 30 SSJs that it ordered. CityJet holds options for another 16 of the aircraft as part of a deal said to be worth more than $1 billion, including support services.

 


Superjet won the Irish carrier’s business in competition with Embraer’s E190 and Bombardier CRJ900. According to the manufacturer, the SSJ promises cash operating costs per 500 nm trip that are 10 percent lower than its direct rivals and 30 percent less than the smallest narrowbody twinjets (e.g. the Airbus A319).

 


For the CityJet contract, Superjet International established an Ireland-based leasing company to act as the conduit, but it will be directly responsible for supporting the operator. The Venice, Italy-based company installs cabin interiors after the aircraft are delivered green from Sukhoi’s Russian factory.

 


The contract has included training CityJet pilots (14 so far and 14 more by the end of 2016) as well as maintenance technicians who will provide line support in Dublin. Under requirements of Irish aviation authorities, Superjet will provide training pilots to accompany the new CityJet crews for a specified number of initial flights as they build experience in the new type.

 


In addition to its Venice customer care and training center, Superjet International has support warehouses in the Russian capital Moscow and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as a spares distribution center in Frankfurt, Germany. In Frankfurt and Fort Lauderdale, it is partnered with Lufthansa Technik.

 


During the week of the Farnborough show, Superjet is due to deliver two Sukhoi Business Jet versions of the SSJ100 to Thailand’s air force. It has previously sold a VIP version of the aircraft to Kazakhstan.

 


The fly-by-wire SSJ100’s features a cockpit suite developed by Thales (and including sidestick controls) and a pair of SaM146 turbofans developed by Powerjet, the joint venture between France’s Safran and Russian engine maker Saturn. Other key suppliers include UTC Aerospace Systems (electrical systems), Intertechnique (fuel systems), Goodrich (wheels and brakes), Safran’s Messier-Bugatti Dowty division (landing gear), Honeywell (APU), Parker (hydraulics), Liebherr (flight controls and air management system), Zodiac (fuel system) and Esterline (load management).

 


Italian design group Pininfarina developed the cabin, which features rows of two- and three-abreast seats, each 18.5 inches in width. The aisle is 20 inches wide and with a height of 7 feet. The SSJ also boasts the largest cargo area for a 100-seat airliner.

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