Yamal Airlines inked a contact for 13 more Superjet 100s

Yamal currently operates three SSJ 100s (Photo by Yamal Airlines)

Russia’s Yamal Airlines has signed a contract with the local GTLK State Transport Leasing Corporation for 13 Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) regional aircraft. The first three aircraft are set for delivery before the end of this year, whereas deliveries of the remaining ten will be spread throughout next year, GTLK spokesperson said.

The aircraft are delivered on operational lease under a memorandum for 25 airframes of the type signed in 2015. They all were initially expected to enter service with Yamal next year.

Salekhard-based carrier currently operates three SSJ 100s, the first of which started flying for the airline in April 2016. Yamal’s general director Vassily Kryuk told Russian media that the next three aircraft will be used for flights operated from the newly opened Zhukovsky Airport near Moscow.

At least two out of three aircraft to be delivered to Yamal, will feature the new cabin layout for 100 passengers, which can be converted into a 93-seat configuration.

Kryuk also mentioned that the contract for the first three SSJ 100s, which Yamal is operating right now, was signed for just one year, against the initial 12-year plan. He did not explain the reason for that.

GTLK offers favorable condition for SSJ 100 leasing within the framework of regional airline support program. Once the lessor receives additional funding from the Russian government, it will increase its backlog of the aircraft to 36.