Azimuth Airlines receives its first SSJ100

The aircraft arrived straight from the factory (Azimuth)

Azimuth Airlines, a recently created operator based in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, has taken delivery of its first aircraft. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) regional jet, registration code RA-89079, arrived straight from the factory. It is painted in the Azimuth livery, which was developed by Russian design agency Asgard Branding.

Azimuth is leasing the airliner from State Transport Leasing Corporation (GTLK) for 12 years. As earlier reported, the carrier placed a firm order for four of the type and an option for eight more.

The airline could eventually expand its SSJ100 fleet to 12 airframes (Azimuth)

The newly arrived aircraft is the SSJ100LR extended-range version, as will be the other three airliners to be delivered under the firm order.

Azimuth will start operations from Rostov-on-Don’s existing airport in September, after it has received its air operator’s certificate. Later on it will move to the city’s new airport, Platov, which is currently under construction. The carrier is planning to offer direct services between the country’s southern regions.

The airline is projected to break even within three years and begin carrying anywhere between 2 and 3 million passengers annually.

The stakeholders are reportedly Vitaly Vantsev, co-owner of Vnukovo airport, and Pavel Udod, formerly deputy general director of Yakutia Airlines.