The Russian flag carrier plans purchasing ten more Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft in addition to thirty such airplanes already on order.

Aeroflot general director Vitaly Savelyev told this on the Russian TV channel «Russia 24». The national flag carrier serves launch customer for the SSJ100, according to the contract signed in December 2005. That time Aeroflot signed for 30 SSJ100s. Later on, in 2007, it signed provisional agreement for 15 more such aircraft. But this provisional order is yet to be firmed up.

Initially Sukhoi planned to start SSJ100 deliveries in October 2008, but they have been repeatedly postponed. Sukhoi now says first deliverable aircraft will have entry into service with Armavia in February 2011 and two more with Aeroflot in March 2011.

Savelyev said he expects SSJ100 to join Aeroflot fleet next year. «Furthermore, we are ready to increase our order from thirty to forty machines», he added.

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) commented on the situation, saying that if Savelyev indeed plans to purchase more airplanes from SCAC, the company will be glad to oblige the customer. «Aeroflot is an important client to us, not only as the launch customer but also as a powerful, dynamically developing and improving airline. We will deliver the customer so many aircraft as he wants to», SCAC spokeswoman said.