Sukhoi’s Superjet 100 has secured European approval to operate from narrow runways down to a width of 30m (98ft).
The airframer says the certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency is part of a strategy to increase the scope of the aircraft’s capabilities.
Irish carrier CityJet, which recently put the type into operation its own fleet, had sought the approval, states Sukhoi.
It says a number of European airports – such as Florence and London City – have narrow runways.
Sukhoi civil aircraft division president Ilya Tarasenko says the manufacturer is “attentive to the needs of customers” and is prepared to carry out additional work to adapt aircraft to their requirements.
The airframer is also aiming to modify the Superjet to enable it to conduct operations to London City, which has a steep approach glideslope, by December 2017.
Its upgrade will include changes to the wing’s mechanical structures, as well as avionics and system software.
Flight testing is set to start in the summer of next year.
Sukhoi adds that the wing-tips of the type are being redesigned for improved performance and that the first aircraft with these modifications will emerge in 2018.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
