[AMcWhirter]

Aviation news is sparse over the festive holiday period but I thought readers ought to be aware of this development which has barely been reported in the UK mainstream media.

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/russia-grounds-fleet-of-newest-aircraft-over-safety-issues

Now comes news today that Mexico’s Interjet has also grounded its Superjets.

https://www.aerotime.aero/en/civil/16162-mexico-s-interjet-halted-ssj100-flights

What is not widely realised in the UK is that Irish airline Cityjet is acquiring a fleet of Superjets which will eventually replace its ageing BAe146s.

In 2015 it signed a US$1 billion deal for 15 Superjets with an option to purchase more.

This year Cityjet has taken delivery of a few Superjets but these, I believe, have not yet entered regular scheduled service. In time to come the intention is to have the Superjet certified for London City operations.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cityjet-superjet-idUKKCN0YF2G0

It remains to be seen how soon it will be before the Superjet re-enters service.

[LuganoPirate]

I’m not sure we yet know the full reasons for this crash. However conspiracy theories spring to mind as I wonder if the US or Europeans had anything to do with this in order to damage the Russian manufacturer’s credibility? But then it is a slow news day!!!

[AMcWhirter]

In fact LP it’s two different things. The crash in the Black Sea was of a Soviet-era TU-154 (most of which have been withdrawn from commercial service) whereas the Sukhoi Superjet is a brand new aircraft which Russia hopes to sell in the West.

[dutchyankee]

I have often seen the Cityjet liveried Superjet on the stand in Warsaw Chopin Airport the past year. I guess it was being chartered or leased out, but it was frequently in Warsaw.

[AMcWhirter]

dutchyankee – It must have been chartered or leased out. Cityjet does not operate any scheduled flights to Warsaw.

Anyway just a few hours ago it was reported by Reuters that the “Superjet defects will be repaired by end-January.”

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-sukhoi-superjet-idUSKBN14H16J

[jjlasne]

Fly Russian aircraft at your own risk.

[dutchyankee]

Further on this topic, it was reported recently that to speed up the retirement of their Avro regional jets Brussels Airlines will be wet leasing 3 Superjets from Citijet. As a regular Traveller on SN I do hope any defects on this new jet will be remedied soon. Alex you mentioned these remedies will occur in January. Will you update when you know more?

[AMcWhirter]

dutchyankee – Following your message I asked Citijet for a statement.

Cityjet says

“During a routine inspection on an SSJ operating in Russia prior to Christmas, engineers identified indications of wear on a component in a non critical area. Whilst this was still well within safety limits, it was decided to request operators to conduct checks on SSJ aircraft in service before returning to flight status.”

“Cityjet which operates three SSJ aircraft with five more due for delivery in 2017 conducted the requisite checks on December 24th with no fault found. Consequently all Cityjet aircraft have been returned to service.”

“Cityjet retains continuous dialogue with manufacturers and will react to any issues which may be raised. Safety is paramount at Cityjet and we welcome Superjet’s vigilance in identifying and highlighting this matter to us.”

Meanwhile luchtvaartnieuws.nl reports that all 22 Superjets of Mexico’s Interjet are now back in service.

http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/2/airlines/alle-superjets-van-interjet-terug-in-operatie

[Author]

Posts