S7 Technics to rejuvenate two grounded Superjet 100s

Buryatskie airlines’ Superjet 100 had not left the ground for more than three years before it was ferried to Domodedovo at the end of March :: ATO.ru

S7 Technics, Russia’s leading independent maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider, has begun the restoration to airworthiness of two Superjet 100s (SSJ 100s) owned by the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK).

The aircraft are among the first serial models manufactured by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co (SCAC), with registration numbers RA-89004 (MSN 95012) and RA-89007 (MSN 95015). The original operator of these aircraft was Aeroflot and the second was the Moscow branch of Center-South Airlines.

Both aircraft are configured with 12 business and 75 economy class seats. Three years ago these Superjets were transferred under an operational lease agreement to Buryatskie Airlines, but they stayed on the ground when the Federal Air Transport Agency cancelled the carrier’s AOC at the beginning of 2017. GTLK, Russia’s largest aircraft lease specialist, plans to re-market the SSJ 100s, which have not flown for a long time, by the end of this year.

The lessor and S7 Technics signed the airworthiness restoration agreement for RA-89004 and RA-89007 last autumn. The core works, which are to be performed at the provider’s own production facilities at Moscow’s Domodedovo and Mineralnye Vody airports, are:

– The repair and restoration of all defective components;

– The removal, repair and installation of SaM 146 engines;

– Carrying out structural repairs;

– Re-painting the aircraft

Both aircraft have lain idle at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport since the autumn of 2015, when Center-South ceased operations.

GTLK told ATO.ru that the restoration to airworthiness of both aircraft is scheduled for July and August, while obtaining the airworthiness certificates is planned for November and December of 2019.

As of the end of March, GTLK had officially taken delivery of 41 SSJ 100s from SCAC.