Italian aviation authority recognizes SSJ100 export airworthiness certificate

The agreement with Russia's FATA supersedes an earlier accord with the Interstate Aviation Committee (SCAC)

The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has officially recognized the Russian aircraft manufacturing certification system, paving the way to exports of the Russian-produced Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) regional jetliner to Europe. The corresponding agreement was signed between the two countries’ aviation authorities, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (FATA) reports.

The document lays out the timeline for implementing the bilateral agreement on SSJ100 continued airworthiness maintenance, which is an integral part of the 1989 Italo-Russian intergovernmental agreement on continued airworthiness. In accordance with the agreement, ENAC recognizes the FATA-issued SSJ100 export airworthiness certificate. The document also regulates the shipments of aircraft components, as well as the interaction procedures between FATA and ENAC “as to the exchange of information pertaining to manufacturing aspects.” The Parties announced having reached the preliminary agreement in October.

SSJ100s are sold in Europe through Italy, home to the Italo-Russian joint venture SuperJet International (SJI; since the spring of 2017 the majority stake is held by the Russian partner). The company is responsible for exporting the jetliners, customizing them for foreign clients, aftersales support, and customer training. FATA says Italy represents all of the EU when it comes to the recognition of export certificates. The certification system audit in Russia was carried out by ENAC in conjunction with EASA.

The need for the new document emerged after the right to certify aircraft in Russia was transferred from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) to FATA in late 2015. Previously, Russian-made airliners had been operated in the EU under a similar agreement between the IAC and the European authorities.

“The newly signed document supersedes the one signed by ENAC and the IAC in 2013,” a FATA representative told Russian Aviation Insider. Since the revocation of the IAC’s certification powers, nine SSJ100s have been exported through Europe. One aircraft was delivered to Mexico’s Interjet, six to Irish LCC CityJet, and two to the Royal Thai Air Force.