Industry Adria Airways signs for 15 SSJ100 and MRO joint venture

During a signing ceremony, at which the Minister of industry and trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov was in attendance, both Sukhoi and Adria Airways signed the Letter of Intent.

Beginning in 2019, Adria Airways will receive a total of 15 Sukhoi SSJ100 Superjets. The aircraft can normally seat up to 90 passengers in a two-class configuration. Mostly, other airlines are utilizing their SSJ100s on regional or mid-haul routes.

CEO of ADRIA Airways Holger Kowarsch said: "It is our pleasure to partner with JSC Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company. They will totally support ADRIA Airways´ development strategy. During the past two years we were analysing the SSJ100 type and came to the conclusion that all the technical and operational characteristics of this aircraft would suit best for our strategic goals."

Both Sukhoi and Adria Airways have additionally confirmed, that the manufacturer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding upon establishing a new Maintenance and Repair Organization (MRO) facility at Ljubljana, Slovenia. The facility will be especially designed for the SSJ100. Adria´s headquarters and main operations are located at Ljubljana as well.

JSC Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company President Alexander Rubtsov added: "We realize that the SSJ100 after-sales support at the entry to the European market should be organized profoundly and professionally. Together with the ADRIA Airways we will create a joint maintenance and repair organization for SSJ100 at the Ljubljana Airport. That service platform will secure the operational reliability of SSJ100 aircraft in Europe."

Adria Airways will use the new aircraft to further grow its ACMI business, as it offers more variability in this specific market compared to the A319 and CRJ aircraft. The carrier initially announced this summer, that it will expand its Saab 2000 fleet and that it will establish a new base at Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport. Moreover, after the bankruptcy of Darwin, Adria Airways bought the airline and formed subsidiary airline Adria Airways Switzerland.

Based at Ljubljana Airport, Adria Airways was founded 57 years ago in March 1961. The carrier has focus cities at Pristina, Tirana and Paderborn and is member of the Star Alliance. Currently, the carrier operates flights to 26 scheduled destinations with a fleet of 18 aircraft including three Airbus A319s, 11 Canadair Regional Jets and three Saab 2000s.