Company Backs Up Partnership With $200 Million Order

In the aerospace industry, things are tight all over, but business jets based on airliners are continuing to draw interest among those with the means to buy them. At a news conference Sunday at NBAA, SuperJet International CEO Carlo Logli (pictured) announced that a VIP version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional airliner has found a launch customer, and it's none other than Comlux The Aviation Group.

Logli then introduced Richard Gaona Chairman and President of Comlux The Aviation Group, who confirmed that his company has placed two firm orders with two more options for the Sukhoi Business Jet (SBJ). Comlux will partner with SuperJet to configure cabins for eight-passenger VIP, 19-passenger government and 38-passenger corporate variants, then complete the planes at the Comlux facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Delivery of the first two green airframes is scheduled for 2014, with anticipated entry into service in 2015.

The range for the new variants will be considerably more than the regional airliner due to the addition of six aux fuel tanks in what would normally be the airliner's cargo hold. The VIP version is projected to fly 4,250 nm with NBAA IFR reserves at Mach 0.78 with eight passengers, or 3,500 nm in the corporate version with 38 passengers. High speed cruise is projected to be mach 0.81, or 465 knots.

In response to questions, Logli noted that while the base airframe is a Russian product, engines, APU, avionics and other major subsystems will be sourced from manufacturers in the west. He announced the list price with completed interior at $50 million each. Gaona (shown in 2004 photo) then added that the four-aircraft deal could be just the beginning, with follow-on orders possible as the plane's comfort, quiet and environmental friendliness become better-known.

SuperJet International is a joint venture which is owned 51 percent by Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, and 49 percent by Sukhoi Holding. SuperJet is in charge of marketing, sales, customization and delivery of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa and Japan, as well as training and worldwide after-sales support. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 currently represents the largest industrial program between the Russian Federation and Europe in the commercial aircraft sector.

Comlux The Aviation Group describes itself as a leader in VIP charter services operating worldwide with the highest standards of safety and quality. Beyond charter operations, Comlux offers services to private aircraft owners including aircraft management, sales and acquisitions, cabin design and completion, maintenance and engineering.

FMI: www.superjetinternational.com ; www.comluxaviation.com