Russian and Chinese parties have tentatively agreed to establish a new leasing company for Sukhoi Superjet 100s which aims to build a fleet of 100 aircraft and focus on sales to Asia.
The leasing company will be based in the Xixian in Shaanxi province.
It is the subject of a four-way framework agreement between United Aircraft, Chinese company New Century International Leasing, plus a Russian-Chinese investment fund and Xixian’s local management committee.
United Aircraft says that, under the pact, the joint lessor will acquire 100 Superjets worth $3 billion – more than twice the number of delivered airframes – over a three-year period.
The local Chinese administration will support the plan by providing land on which to set up the required infrastructure for operating and maintaining the type.
This infrastructure will include a flight-training and servicing centre, spares warehouses and possible interior fitting and painting facilities.
United Aircraft president Yuri Slyusar says that the agreement has resulted from efforts to “rethink the approach” to marketing the Superjet internationally.
He says that the agreement, which has been reached quickly, will strengthen the prospects for the Russian domestic civil aviation industry.
Slyusar adds that the venture will result in a “highly-competitive” leasing operation allowing the Superjet to take a “significant share” of rapidly-developing aviation markets in China and south-east Asia.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
