Industry Interjet considers Superjet 100 fleet sale

In 2011, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 undertook its first commercial flight for the former Armenian flag carrier Armavia. Since then, Sukhoi has delivered over 130 jets to mostly Russian airlines.

One of the most important carriers operating the first Russian fly-by-wire-twin-engine regional jet is the first North American customer Interjet. The Mexican carrier has ordered 40 Superjet’s and already operates 22. In the last months, several newspapers reported problems with the Russian aircraft because the supply of spare parts causes problems.

According to a new report, Interjet is now considering the sale of its entire Superjet fleet and the replacement with Airbus A320 Neo Family aircraft. Beside its 22 Superjet 100, Interjet operates a fleet of 47 A320, three A320 Neo, six A321 and seven A321 Neo. Additional 32 A320 Neo and one A321 Neo are ordered.

Interjet could follow the Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels Airlines, which wet-leases a small number of the Russian regional jet from Cityjet. The Brussels Airlines management stated in July that is looking for a replacement of the Russian jets, as the operating performance and the down-time of the aircraft are not satisfying.

The Superjet 100 made its maiden flight in 2008. The aircraft, which is designed for 108 passengers in a single class configuration, is designed to compete with the Embraer E-Jets, the Airbus A220 and the Bombardier CRJ series. The largest customer, the Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot is operating a fleet of 49 Superjets in its regional network.

Interjet has not officially confirmed plans for a sale of its Superjet fleet.