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.
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