Russian airline alliance AiRUnion is studying a possible order with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft for a batch of Russian Regional Jets (RRJ).
“It represents the type for which all five member carriers have an acute need,” says AiRUnion. “Overall, they could require 20-30 RRJs.”
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft says preliminary talks with AiRUnion are under way.
At the same time, the KrasAir-led alliance has confirmed commitments to lease from Ilyushin Finance (IFC) 10 baseline Antonov An-148-100Bs with an option for five longer-range models, to be built by aircraft factory VASO.
“Our agreement signed last year with IFC and VASO remains valid,” says AiRUnion commercial department chief Andrei Yegorov. “But we are seeing an opportunity to use both An-148s and RRJs, taking advantage of their different seat capacity and ranges.”
AiRUnion’s two-pronged strategy is believed to be in response to pressure from Russia’s state property fund, which is a key shareholder in KrasAir. Its representatives have objected to the An-148 deal, arguing that it has been struck without inviting tenders from other manufacturers.
AiRUnion, which is moving towards operating as a single carrier, includes KrasAir, Domodedovo Airlines, Omskavia, Samara Airlines and Sibaviatrans.
Source: Flight International
