newstodate.aero
Mar 01, 2016 (newstodate): The Belgian airline VLM Airlines was poised to become the first western carrier to operate Russia's new commercial aircraft, the Superjet 100. But the deal has now definitively been called off.
In October 2014 VLM Airlines signed a LoI with aircraft lessor Ilyushin Finance Co to take in two Superjet 100 regional aircraft in the long-range version under a 12-year operating lease, with options for a further 12 aircraft.
The first aircraft should have been delivered in April 2015, but deliveries were later postponed till Q3, 2016 - and the order has now been cancelled.
Behind the decision is both delays in certification for LR operations of the aircraft as well as changes in the geopolitical environment.
Instead, VLM Airlines will now look around in the market to find a suitable substitute for Superjet that was to replace its fleet of 11 Fokker 50 aircraft.
In October 2014 VLM Airlines signed a LoI with aircraft lessor Ilyushin Finance Co to take in two Superjet 100 regional aircraft in the long-range version under a 12-year operating lease, with options for a further 12 aircraft.
The first aircraft should have been delivered in April 2015, but deliveries were later postponed till Q3, 2016 - and the order has now been cancelled.
Behind the decision is both delays in certification for LR operations of the aircraft as well as changes in the geopolitical environment.
Instead, VLM Airlines will now look around in the market to find a suitable substitute for Superjet that was to replace its fleet of 11 Fokker 50 aircraft.