OREANDA-NEWS. The first two Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by the Mexican airline Interjet successfully performed the first revenue flights on September 18, 2013.

The aircraft MSN 95023 (flight 3150) took off at approximately 7.37 (local time) from Mexico City airport (MEX) and landed at 8.54 a.m. at Torreon airport (TRC).

The second aircraft MSN 95024 (flight 3963) took off at about 7.50 a.m. (local time) from Mexico City airport (MEX) and landed at 8.52 a.m. at Aguascalientes (AGU) airport.

On the first day of their operations, the first two Interjet SSJ100s will perform 8 commercial flights each from Mexico City airport to other Mexican destinations as Campeche, Minatitlan, Zacatecas and Mazatlan.

“The SSJ100 is now flying also in the Americas. The entry in service with Interjet has opened the door to the Western market and the international aviation community has been carefully watching at this major step - states Nazario Cauceglia, Chief Executive Officer of SuperJet International - After a start-up phase, the SSJ100 program is determined to become a competitive player in the regional aircraft segment. We are positive we will meet customers' expectations, through operational leasing alternatives and very attractive ECA Financing, supporting both start-up and legacy airlines. The SSJ100 has a great potential in the global market. Our forecast is for an addressable market of 1000 aircraft in the next 20 years. We firmly believe in the excellence of our product, its comfort, superior aerodynamics and outstanding performance, along with a 'first class' Customer Services support” concluded Cauceglia.

The SSJ100 entry into service was introduced by a successful flight training campaign in “high altitude environment” typical of Mexico, supported by a risk assessment evaluation. Training flights, which were accomplished in Toluca after the completion of the Type Rating courses at the Venice SJI training center, included 171 “touch & go” for roughly 35 flight hours confirming the aircraft's high-quality performance. Up to date SuperJet International, which is also the SSJ100 worldwide training provider, has trained 44 Interjet pilots, including 5 Interjet instructors, along with 8 cabin attendants and almost 100 mechanics.

Interjet also capitalizes on a comprehensive “per-flight-hour” program designed by SuperJet International specifically for SSJ100 operators to maximize aircraft availability, optimize maintenance costs and minimize the administrative burden. To facilitate the entry in service of the SSJ100 with Interjet SJI has also set up a new support warehouse located at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, (U.S.A.) that will provide logistic support to Interjet and in general to any North and Latin America customer. A SJI dedicated engineering team is on-site to provide technical support and advisory assistance while the Customer Care Center based in Venice (Italy) is operational 24/7 to provide timely support for spares, tooling and technical queries.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100, designed and produced by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, in partnership with Alenia Aermacchi, incorporates the most modern Western technology and is powered by two PowerJet SaM146 engines. The aircraft offers a great advantage in terms of fuel consumption and low operational costs with the highest standards of quality and comfort available in the 100-seat segment.

The SSJ100 - now in service with six airlines (Interjet, Aeroflot, Sky Aviation, Lao Central, Yakutia, Moskovia) and 20 aircraft delivered - matches the most stringent western air safety standards of EASA, IAC-AR, ENAC and Mexican DGAC civil aviation authorities.

Interjet SSJ100s first commercial flights mark an important milestone in the Sukhoi Superjet 100 program and confirm the global aircraft's ambitious perspectives.