Russia is scheduled fly a superjet in May. Finally, for the very first time after a long-delayed test flight, the first new airline will take off in May, according to a Russia’s state aircraft company. The superjet by the name, Superjet 100 is being developed almost a decade by the largest warplane maker in Russia. It is the biggest hope to make a comeback in the airline industry.

It was scheduled to fly in late 2007 but later, they moved the date to early 2008. However, it has been finalised that May shall be the debut month for Superjet 100. Surprisingly, the last stage of the test is still on going at the moment.

Russia was once a mighty in the airline industry but collapsed after the fall of the Soviet Union. Superjet 100 is developed alongside with the Boeing.

Priced at USD$29 million, Sukhoi aimed to sell 800 of it which comes to the production of 60 to 70 units a year. At the time being, he has secured 73 units of Superjet 100.

Aeroflot has ordered 30 of the planes with the deliveries to be at the end of this year 2008. Aeroflot is the Russian flagship carried and it is controlled by the state.

Other than Aeroflot, there are other buyers such as Russia’s Air Union and Russia’s Finance Leasing Company.

However, the delivery of the Superjets may be delayed as it has to make 100 flights to pass its first test flight. Sukhoi has been agressively drawing the attention of Italian partner Alenia Aeronautica.

Sukhoi’s deal with Finmeccanica is the key of Superjet’s success. Alenia wants to set up the after-sales service and support which are very important in securing winning contracts.

www.aeroflot.ru