A decision on whether to produce a larger or smaller version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 will be made by the time of the Paris air show in June, but the Russian manufacturer is leaning towards a stretched version.
Superjet International chief executive Carlo Logli says Sukhoi is "passing through a review of the product family", but is "more interested in a stretched version than a shrunk version". The stretched version would have between 100 and 130 seats.
"We would prefer to go up rather than down [in size] but the market will tell us," says Logli. "By Paris we will make it clear to everyone."
Sukhoi has 10 aircraft in production and plans to produce 14 Superjets in 2011. Sukhoi Holdings general director Mikhail Pogosyan says that in the coming two to three years the production rate will increase to between 40 and 50 aircraft a year, rising to between 60 and 70 once other members of the family are launched.
Russian industry minister Viktor Khristenko, during a recent visit to the Perm engine plant, suggested that the Aviadvigatel PD-14 engine would be applicable to an aircraft he identified as the "Superjet 130".
Source: Flight International
