Putin: Russia ready to renew Air Serbia’s fleet
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said yesterday that his country’s aviation sector is prepared to assist in the renewal of Air Serbia’s fleet. It comes weeks after the First Deputy Head of the Russian Government Office, Sergei Prikhodko, said the national carrier is considering ordering Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft and the Irkut MC-21 jet, which is currently in development. Furthermore, Mr Putin noted the country is willing to set up a regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre for Russian manufactured aircraft at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Last week, Serbian maintenance provider, Jat Tehnika, announced it had become Europe’s first MRO organisation to win approval for the line and base maintenance of the SSJ100 jet.
Air Serbia has remained tight lipped on the matter over the past month. On the other hand, Russian officials have said, “Supplying Russian-made aircraft to Serbia is being discussed in various formats. In particular, Sukhoi is working with the Serbian national carrier Air Serbia to upgrade the airline's fleet by purchasing the Superjet 100 aircraft. As for the MC-21, this type may be of interest to Air Serbia in the future”. Sukhoi first approached and pitched the SSJ100 to the Serbian carrier in late 2015. In 2017, the plane maker reiterated it was negotiating with Air Serbia over a potential aircraft order.
Air Serbia has been on the lookout to replace its regional fleet of six ATR72 turboprops, part of which were delivered new to the carrier's predecessor in 1990. The airline’s part-owner, Etihad Airways, cancelled an order for ten Airbus A320neo aircraft, which were destined for Air Serbia, at the start of the year. Instead, the Serbian Finance Minister said the national carrier would replace its current A319 and A320 jets between 2022 and 2025. The Sukhoi Superjet has the capacity to seat between 87 and 108 passengers, depending on cabin layout and seat configuration. On the other hand, the MC-21, which is in the testing phase and expected to enter commercial service next year, has the capacity to seat between 132 and 211 passengers.
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