Armavia's first Sukhoi Superjet 100 has performed its maiden revenue flight, only two days after delivery to the operator, marking the formal entry of the twinjet type into commercial service.
It flew from Yerevan Zvartnots to Moscow Sheremetyevo early today, carrying 90 passengers on board, as flight U8508.
Armavia's Superjet landed at 04:45, after a flight lasting some 2h 55min, arriving at Sheremetyevo's Terminal C. The aircraft replaced a larger Airbus A319 on the route.
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© Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport |
Sheremetyevo Airport's operator says it secured approval on 12 April, from Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsia, to receive and service the aircraft.
Armavia says it plans to add Superjet services from Zvartnots to the Ukrainian cities of Odessa and Simferopol and, later, to Tel Aviv, Aleppo in Syria, and the Iranian capital Tehran.
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© Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport |
Route expansion will be possible after second airframe is delivered in June, the airline adds.
Sukhoi says it will deliver 14 Superjets this year, mostly to Aeroflot, but Yakutia might also receive one by the year-end, according to United Aircraft president Mikhail Pogosyan.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
