Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, manufacturer of the Sukhoi Superjet 100, posted a deeper than expected half-year net loss of 804 million rubles ($12 million), despite a 47% increase in revenue to over 16 billion rubles.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a fly-by-wire twin engine regional jet that can carry up to 108 passengers. The closest North American operator of the aircraft is Interjet, a Mexico flag carrier, which has added another 10 aircraft to its original order for 20. Interjet has stated that the aircraft has a remarkable seat pitch for a regional aircraft of 34 inches, and the Pininfarina-designed SSJ100 interior gets high marks from the airlines customers.
CityJet, a regional airline in Ireland, has also picked the Russian-made aircraft to update its fleet. CityJet currently operates 7 SSJ100 aircraft, with 1 more still on order. CityJet will be the first airline in Europe to operate the Russian built aircraft.
The only major accident involving the Superjet occurred on May 9, 2012. During a demonstration flight with 37 passengers and eight Russian crew members on board, the airplane crashed into a mountain after it took off from the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia. Twenty minutes after take-off, the crew requested permission to descend to 6,000 feet, which was approved by air traffic control. This was the last contact made with the aircraft. Searchers later discovered the aircraft wreckage on the side of Mount Salak and found no survivors. All 37 passengers and 8 Russian crew members on board perished in the crash.
My wife and I actually flew on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 on an Interjet flight from Mexico City to Oaxaca City!
