SuperJet Likely to Sign Contract With CityJet on 15 SSJ Planes by Year-End

SuperJet International and CityJet are likely to sign an agreement on the delivery of 15 SSJ100 passenger planes by the end of 2015.

VENICE (Sputnik) — Joint Russian-Italian SuperJet International and CityJet, an Irish regional airline, are likely to sign an agreement on the delivery of 15 SSJ100 passenger planes by the end of 2015, SuperJet International CEO Nazario Cauceglia said Friday.

"According to optimistic forecasts, a firm contract with CityJet is expected to be signed by the end of 2015, or not later than the first quarter of 2016," Cauceglia told RIA Novosti.

The manufacturer of SSJ100, Russia's Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCA), is planning to make available new avionics features required for short runways and steep glide path landing at the request of CityJet. The SCA has already started the work and plans to finish it in 2016, according to Alexander Dolotovskiy, the manufacturer's deputy chief designer.

CityJet announced its decision to buy 15 SSJ100 planes with an option for 10 more aircraft in mid-October.

SuperJet International was established in 2007 with headquarters in the Italian city of Venice to conclude sales deals and provide international customers with after-sales services.

According to SCA, fifty-seven SSJ100 are currently in operation, including 16 planes operated by Mexican airline Interjet.