United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is considering the possibility of establishing a leasing subsidiary and an air carrier operating SSJ100 aircraft in Egypt, RIA Novosti reports with reference to UAC President Yuri Slusar.

“We are going to establish a “base” here and we will be able to deliver the aircraft to African countries. Leasing subsidiary may also be established. The company will be registered in Egypt … Egypt is like the gates to Africa,” Slusar said.

At present UAC is negotiating delivery of 12 SSJ100 liners to Egypt Air, the national carrier of Egypt. Moreover, the company is negotiating delivery of another 5 or 10 jets of the type via a leasing company: «we will deliver the jets to the company in Egypt, and lease them to African countries».

UAC President added that the company is ready to offer services related to remarketing of Embraer-170 jets currently operated by Egypt Air. «At present we are not offering trade in services, so we’ll have to create some structure, it’s an option. They (Egypt Air) will hand over their Embraer-170 in payment for new SSJ100 liners and then we’ll have to do something with Embraer jets. There are companies specializing in remarketing,» Slusar said.

According to him, the Egyptian carrier should complete its tender for fleet renewal in 2015. «I believe we have a good chance of winning it,» Slusar noted.

Earlier Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said that Russia and Egypt are negotiating delivery of 12 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft with an option for another 12 jets of the type; deliveries may be started in late 2016.