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Sukhoi wraps up Asian commitments

Sukhoi has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Orient Thai Airlines for 12 Superjet SSJ100/95B aircraft, with an option for twelve more.

The Russian regional jet manufacturer says the deal is set to be finalised before the end of the year.

The deliveries are scheduled for 2011-2014. The document was signed by the Orient Thai’s Chairman of the Board Udom Tantiransongchai and the President of SCAC Vladimir Prysiazhnyuk at the Farnborough Air Show.

The aircraft are slated to replace the airline’s fleet of 11 MD-80s. Orient Thai Airlines is the parent company of one-two-GO, a Thai budget carrier with a chequered reputation.

“We welcome another SSJ100 South East Asian customer aboard the Sukhoi Superjet 100 Program. The document we’ve signed today strengthens our positions in the South-East Asia market, which is one of the most promising segments for SSJ100. I believe SCAC’s product with its effectiveness, already proven in-flight, will become a perfect tool for to enhance the operational capabilities of Orient Thai” – stated Vladimir Prysiazhnyuk, commenting on the deal.

Also at Farnborough, Superjet signed an agreement that it says confirms an agreement by Indonesia’s Kartika Airlines to purchase the regional jet.

In 2008, Kartika agreed in principle to buy 15 SSJ100/85Bs with an option for 15 more. Superjet says the carrier has now firmed up its commitment for all 30 aircraft for delivery from 2012 to 2015.

“Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a perfect tool to bridge the market gap on regional capacity as major Indonesian carriers are focused on large single aisle aircraft. With this new right-sized aircraft we can develop and serve more point-to-point destinations with obvious operational efficiency and unsurpassed comfort for passengers” - stated the CEO of Kartika Kim Johanes Mulia Jiauw.

In May this year, Laotian start-up Phongsavanh Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 3 Sukhoi Superjet 100 airplanes with 6 a/c as an option. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2012.

As things stand, Orient Thai would be the Asian launch customer for the aircraft.