OREANDA-NEWS. June 20, 2011. The Aeroflot Russian Airlines completed the first passenger flight of new Russian regional jet Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) from Moscow to St. Petersburg. This flight marked the beginning of commercial operation of the new aircraft by the Russian National carrier.

The aircraft received the name after the famous Soviet pilot Mikhail Vodopyanov. SSJ100 took to the air from Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport (Terminal D) at 9.10 a.m. and landed at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo International Airport at 10.40 am. Its first passengers were: the deputy chairman of the Russian Federation Sergei Ivanov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Elvira Nabiullina, Deputy Minister of Transport Valery Okulov, who arrived to St. Petersburg to participate in the XV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. There is no doubt, that the General Director of JSC "Aeroflot " Vitaly Saveliev and the President of United Aircraft Corporation and General Director of Sukhoi Holding, Mikhail Pogosyan arrived to the north capital on board of the SSJ100.

Sukhoi Superjet 100 SN 95008 was delivered to Aeroflot under contract with the VEB-Leasing JSC on financial lease (leasing). Delivered aircraft designed to carry 87 passengers in a comfortable two-class layout (12 - business class and 75 - in economy class). Maximum flying distance is 2300km.

Aeroflot ordered 30 SSJ100 aircraft in total. In the future the carrier plans to purchase ten more.

Sukhoi Superjet 100 (RRJ-95) is a 100 seat regional jet. The operating range for the basic version is 3.048 km and 4.578 km for the long range version. In February 2011, the SSJ100 obtained the Type Certificate by the Russian Certification Authority IAC AR. The EASA certification is expected to follow in 2011. On April 19th 2011 first production SSJ100 was delivered to Armavia airlines (Armenia).

"SSJ100 regional jets will contribute to the implementation of one of the key areas of our strategy to build a global network airlines, said General Director of JSC "Aeroflot " Vitaly Saveliev. It is to strengthen leadership Aeroflot in domestic market of air transportation. The aircraft will perform flights to St. Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Ufa and Samara. And over time, will be put on the foreign destinations".

"The first passenger flight of SSJ100 as part of Aeroflot fleet is an important milestone. We’ll provide overall support to the customer at the primary stage of entering into operation and grant quality after-sales support. Our aircraft has already received a high evaluation from the airline’s pilots and now it is the turn of the passengers now. I believe that SSJ100 will be an excellent tool for the development of the regional route network ", - said President of United Aircraft Corporation and General Director of Sukhoi Holding, Mikhail Pogosyan, commenting on the delivery of the first SSJ100.