Aircraft
Superjet 100’s Appeal Spreads into Western Europe
The blizzard of order activity at this year’s Paris Air Show might have obscured a highly significant signing in the regional jet arena for one of the star
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 participated in the Paris Air Show’s flying displays. (Photo: David McIntosh)
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 participated in the Paris Air Show’s flying displays. (Photo: David McIntosh)

The blizzard of order activity at this year’s Paris Air Show might have obscured a highly significant signing in the regional jet arena for one of the stars of the salon’s flying display.

For years Superjet International struggled to sign a legitimate customer from its home country–until last week, when Italy’s Blue Panorama Airlines agreed to become the Western European launch operator for the Sukhoi Superjet 100. Based in Fiumicino, Italy, Blue Panorama signed a memorandum of understanding covering 12 SSJ100-95s worth a potential $370 million. Plans call for deliveries to start at the end of next year.