Russian certification of the
Superjet 100 is now pegged for October, instead of September, but Superjet International, a joint venture of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft and Italy’s Alenia, insists it will meet its commitment to deliver the first airplanes to Aeroflot and Armavia before year-end. A breakthrough in the oft-delayed program came in June, when the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted certification of the model’s SaM146 engine. EASA certification of the aircraft is expected in the middle of next year. The four Superjet 100s in the flight-test program have logged more than 1,750 hours.

Superjet International brought one of the test airplanes to the Farnborough airshow, where contract orders with two airlines were signed. Indonesian regional carrier Kartika Airlines finalized an order for 30 Superjet 100s in a deal valued at $951 million, confirming a December 2008 agreement for firm orders for 15 Superjet 100s and options for 15 more. All the options were converted to firm orders. The Jakarta-based carrier’s aircraft will be delivered between 2012 and 2015.

Superjet International also signed an agreement with Pearl Aircraft, a Bermuda-based aircraft leasing company, for the purchase of 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100s and options on 15 more.