Delta Air Lines has received a bid from the Sukhoi Superjet 100 in response to a request for proposal for as many 200 narrowbodies, according to sources close to the situation.
The Superjet is now confirmed among five likely bidders for Delta's contract.
Since Delta released the RFP in early January, Delta CEO Richard Anderson has favourably commented on the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan (GTF), which powers the Airbus A320neo and the Bombardier CSeries.
Anderson also said Boeing, which may offer a re-engined or clean-sheet 737, must equal the performance of the GTF-powered aircraft in the competition. Embraer is also expected to bid for the contract.
Delta is considering a wide range of aircraft types to replace Airbus A320s, Boeing 757-200s and DC-9s after 2013.
Flightglobal's ACAS fleet database shows Delta operates 69 Airbus A320s, 34 DC9-50s and 167 Boeing 757-200s.
Sukhoi Superjet, which is marketed in the US by Alenia North America, received Russian type certification for the Superjet 100 earlier this month.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
