Transaero may acquire six Sukhoi Superjet aircraft. The deliveries of SSJ-100s will be started in 2015, Kommersant reports.
A source close to the market reported, that Transaero may sign the contract on delivery of six Sukhoi Superjet 100 (84 seats in two-class cabin configuration) in the nearest future. Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCA) has confirmed that the parties are negotiating, but “no documents have been signed yet”. CEO and co-owner of Transaero, Olga Pleshakova, said that the airline will sign firm contract on delivery of six SSJ-100s with an option for 10 more jets in the next few weeks.
"SCA have submitted several commercial offers and we have accepted the last one. At present we are negotiating with Russian banking structures on financing of this deal",— Olga Pleshakova said. The source says that VEB Leasing has already been chosen as the leasing company for this deal.
According to Pleshakova, the deliveries will be started in 2015. "We will be acquiring two jets per year", — she said. Transaero will pay off the lease-payments for only Russian aircraft in its fleet – 3 Tu-214s, by 2015. "We will pay off the lease-payments for 3 Tu-214s by 2015 and then we will start operation of SSJ in accordance with the new contract", — CEO of Transaero said.
The airline, which has been positioning itself as a medium-haul and long-haul carrier, intends to expand its presence in the short-haul segment after acquisition of SSJ. The jet will be used on routes with low capacity and high frequency. In particular, SSJ may service North-West region and Khabarovsk along with flights from Moscow to Yekaterinburg, Kiev and other cities, Olga Pleshakova says.
Transaero will become the first airline to sign the contract on delivery of SSJ liners this year. SCA has leveled up the price of its production this year (the price has not been changed since 2010): the current price of basic version of the jet is $35,4 million, extended range version (LR) — $36,2 million (list prices). The former prices are $31,7 and $32,3 million respectively. SCA says it is the planned price escalation that is performed in accordance with the business plan. However, Olga Pleshakova assures that Transaero has managed to receive “good discounts”. The size of the discounts has not been unveiled.
We remind you, that Aviation EХplorer has reported on February 1st with reference to Olga Pleshakova that Transero has been negotiating on acquisition of Sukhoi Superjet 100.
“Now the indigenous medium-haul Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft is here. The excellent state-of-the-art liner is as good as foreign analogues. Our company is negotiating on its acquisition. I believe that it is suitable for regional transportation inside Russia», - Pleshakova said.
