Leasing Groups Announce New Superjet Deals at MAKS Show

Russian government-backed leasing group GTLK formally signed a contract to buy 32 Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft on the first day of Moscow’s MAKS airshow. The deal, which is being underwritten by around $527 million in government funding agreed in July, includes a mix of new and already manufactured aircraft. Russian trade and industry minister Denis Manturov last month stated that GTLK will lease the twinjets to Russian airlines including Yamal, Red Wings and Center-South.

Also at the MAKS show, the Ilyushin Finance Co. leasing group signed a trilateral letter of intent under which Cambodia’s Sky Angkor Airlines will wet-lease an SSJ100 from Red Wings. Ilyushin will also deliver two more of the aircraft (SSJ100LRs) to Sky Angkor under an operating lease. The 12-month wet-lease is due to start in December, and once this expires the two new SSJ100LRs will be delivered by Ilyushin.

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company displayed a pair of SSJ100s on the MAKS show static display—one featuring the new enhanced comfort cabin interior. The manufacturer also flew another example of the twinjet in the daily flying display. Earlier this year, the company launched an effort to boost SSJ100 sales by introducing new financing options, including the creation of a new leasing joint venture in China.