Sukhoi has secured another tentative customer for its Superjet 100 after a start-up Lao carrier, identified as Phongsavanh Airlines, signed for up to nine of the type.
The airline has signed a memorandum of understanding for three firm aircraft and six options.
Sukhoi says the deliveries would be scheduled for 2012 if the order is finalised. It values the potential order at $95 million at catalogue prices.
"I'm sure that with the Superjet 100's vast operational flexibility it will become the best tool for our growth-driven strategy," says the Lao carrier's owner, Od Phongsavangh, who is also chairman of Phongsavangh Bank.
Sukhoi has yet to certify the PowerJet SaM146-powered Superjet, which has logged some 1,700hr of flight testing.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news