First Severstal Superjet 100 unveiled

The first Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft in Severstal’s colours (N.Krasnov / SCAC)

In a surprise development, Russian regional airline Severstal, which is owned by mining and metallurgy giant Severstal, has signed a preliminary agreement with Russian leasing company GTLK (State Transport Leasing Company) for the purchase of four Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ 100). The new agreement substitutes a previously announced April 2018 deal with another Russian lessor, Ilyushin Finance Company (IFC) to replace Severstal’s entire fleet of ageing Bombardier CRJ200s with Russian-built aircraft.

The latest document, which was signed at the Hydro Aviation Show in Gelendzhik on September 7th, covers the financial leasing of four of the Russian regional aircraft for a 12-year term, with deliveries scheduled within the 2018-2019 timeframe, and includes an option for two additional aircraft. The chosen variants are the SSJ100 B100 versions, each propelled by the more powerful iteration of SaM146-1S18 engines, for improved runway performance.

Severstal Airlines also intends to equip its SSJ100 fleet with blended winglets, which are currently being tested by the aircraft’s manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC). Named saberlets because of their shape, the design is expected to lead to three to four per cent fuel savings and an increase in flight range.

The first three SSJ100s are expected to join Severstal’s fleet before the end of this year. They will feature convertible cabins, which afford adjustments to the seating capacity, offering between 100 single economy class seats, or a two-class 93-seat configuration, including eight in business. The first SSJ100 has already got Severstal’s colours.

In 2017, the Cherepovets-based airline carried some 240,900 passengers, up 4.3 per cent on the previous year. The airline currently operates six 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200s and one 32-seat Yakovlev Yak-40.

Severstal Airlines, a subsidiary of steel and mining giant Severstal, which is majority-owned and controlled by Russian tycoon Alexey Mordashov, performs domestic and international scheduled and charter flights across Russia, the CIS countries and also to Europe. It also owns and manages its base airport at Cherepovets.