Aeroflot’s SSJ100 fleet grows to 45 Russian regional jets

The latest SSJ 100 (RA-89113) has been named in honour of legendary Soviet WWII pilot Alexey Maresyev (ATO.ru

In a further demonstration of its support for the country’s aircraft manufacturing industry, Russia’s national carrier Aeroflot is continuing to take deliveries of locally-built Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ 100s), with receipt of its 45th regional jet on 4 July.

The latest aircraft, with registration number RA-89113, is the eighth SSJ 100 taken this year by the airline, which remains the biggest customer for the type.

The newly delivered Sukhoi Superjet 100, on lease from state-owned VEB-Leasing, is configured with 12 seats in business class and 75 in economy, a standard seating plan for all its Superjets. It is planned to start operations on Aeroflot routes in the coming weeks.

Since June 2011, 45 Sukhoi Superjet 100 Russian-built aircraft have been delivered to Aeroflot.

In a statement, Aeroflot emphasises that it respects “the importance of supporting Russian manufacturing” – and plans to continue to expand its fleet of SSJ 100s, bringing the eventual total number to 50.

In another move, last month Aeroflot also signed a firm agreement with Avia Capital Services LLC and Rostec State Corporation to acquire 50 next-generation MS-21-300 medium-haul airliners to be produced in Russia by Irkut Corporation (part of UAC).

Currently Aeroflot’s 241-strong aircraft fleet, one of the world’s youngest, consists predominantly of western-built aircraft, including 79 Airbus A320s, 37 A321s, 22 A330s, 41 Boeing 737-800s, 17 Boeing 777-300ERs, as well as the 45 SSJ 100s.