Russian carrier Gazpromavia is to take delivery of the first long-range Sukhoi Superjet 100 in the third quarter, following formal certification of the variant.
The Interstate Aviation Committee states that it has granted type certification to the twinjet, designated the Superjet 100LR.
Its range has been extended by 50% to around 2,470nm (4,580km) and the aircraft, which uses PowerJet SaM146 engines, has a maximum take-off weight of 49.45t.
Gazpromavia, the carrier associated with Russian energy firm Gazprom, has ordered 10 Superjets. The aircraft will be configured with 90 seats in an all-economy layout.
Sukhoi civil aircraft division certification vice-president Igor Vinogradov says the greater operational performance will enable carriers to "optimise" use of the Superjet on both short- and long-haul sectors.
Test flights of the 100LR began in early February. The prototype, aircraft 95032, was ferried from the assembly line at Komsomolsk-on-Amur to Moscow on 15 February, and underwent 60 flight-test cycles spanning 115h.
Its powerplants have a 5% thrust increase compared with the baseline version of the aircraft. Gazpromavia will receive the initial 100LR in the third quarter of this year, says Sukhoi.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
