Russia reviews Superjet 100 performance and operational outlook
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, held a meeting on Friday, December 13, to evaluate the performance and operation of the Superjet 100, the country’s domestically produced regional jet. The session was chaired by Dmitry Yadrov, head of the agency, and included Vadim Badekha, the newly appointed CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of state conglomerate Rostec.
According to Rosaviatsia, the Russian civil aviation fleet currently operates 154 Superjet 100 aircraft, which are certified for commercial operations. The maintenance of these aircraft is handled by 29 specialized organizations. Since entering service 13 years ago, the Superjet 100 accounted for approximately 9% of Russia’s total air passenger traffic in the past year, carrying 9.4 million passengers.
Rosaviatsia reported that incidents related to technical failures on the Superjet 100 decreased by 2.5% between January and November compared to the same period in 2023. Over the same period, flight operations for the aircraft increased by 19.5%, totaling 134,400 flights, based on data provided by the State Corporation for Air Traffic Management (OrVD).
“Whatever people say, the Superjet is truly a good aircraft. Its operational intensity is comparable to its Western counterparts. Superjet aircraft will continue to operate and transport our citizens for many years,” Yadrov said during the meeting.
Vadim Badekha, CEO of UAC, emphasized the importance of collaboration with airlines to support the availability of critical components, including those requiring import substitution. “We plan to update our production and repair strategies for components needed by airlines before the end of the year. We will also increase the frequency of operator conferences involving organizations responsible for maintenance, repairs, and component manufacturing. Such meetings are extremely useful for the future of the aircraft,” Badekha stated.
The Superjet 100, introduced in 2011, is Russia’s first passenger jet designed post-Soviet era. While facing challenges related to its supply chain and maintenance, Rosaviatsia highlights its continued role as a priority for the country’s aviation sector.
