OREANDA-NEWS. September 13, 2010. SuperJet International - a joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and Sukhoi Holding - and the US leasing company Willis Lease Finance Corporation signed today a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of 6 Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft plus 4 options, for an estimated value up to USD 300 million.

The first delivery of these LR aircraft in the 98-seat configuration is scheduled for September 2012.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 programme represents the most important industrial partnership between Europe and the Russian Federation in the civil aviation sector. The aircraft is currently the best choice in the 100-seat aircraft segment because of its outstanding characteristics in terms of fuel consumption, low environmental impact, reduced maintenance costs and top passenger comfort.

About Willis Lease Corporation:

Willis Lease Corporation of Novato, California is a leading lessor of commercial jet engines and owns and manages an aircraft lease portfolio. Willis Lease Corporation is listed on the NASDAQ exchange as WLFC.

SuperJet International, a joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica (51%) and Sukhoi Holding (49%), is in charge of the marketing, sales, customization and delivery of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa and Japan. The Company is also responsible for training and worldwide after-sales support, as well as the design and development of VIP and cargo variants. A SuperJet International branch is active in Moscow, together with a sales office in Washington, DC, USA.