newstodate.aero

Oct 30, 2019 (newstodate): If Russian media can be trusted, Norwegian is negotiating with Sukhoi over the delivery of up to 40 Superjet 100 aircraft.
   According to a document seen by RBC, an MoU comprises the lease by Arctic Aviation Assets, Norwegian's aircraft lease subsidiary, of 10 Superjet 100 aircraft for Norwegian's subsidiary in Argentina as a first phase, to be followed by another batch of 30 aircraft for Norwegian.
   So far, Norwegian has only confirmed meeting with Sukhoi while denying any agreement on acquisition of aircraft.
   If a deal is actually reached, it might pave the way for Norwegian's long-standing dreams of getting access to routes to Chinese destinations which require rights to use the Trans-Siberian air lanes so far denied to the carrier under the prevailing air services agreements between Russia and the Nordic countries.
   For years, Norwegian has been pressing the Norwegian and Scandinavian negotiators in the Russia-Scandinavia aviation talks to gain access to the market in China and other Asian countries by obtaining a share in the quota of Sibir overflight rights which remains an obstacle to future China traffic from Norway.
    The three Scandinavian countries negotiate air services agreements and other aviation policy issues with other countries jointly, with Norway in charge of negotiations with Russia.   
   Norwegian voices are, however, increasingly calling for Norway to quit the joint Scandinavian approach to negotiate instead own air traffic rights with Russia in an effort to fight off the alleged vested interests of the Scandinavian carrier SAS that is today the only airline designated on the Scandinavian side.
   A Superjet 100 deal might provide Norwegian with leverage for Norway to land a bilateral air service agreement with Russia, breaking the monopoly of SAS on the issue of flights over Russia's northern air lanes.
   Speculations on the alleged Norwegian interest in the Superjet 100 in return for Sibir overflight rights are further boosted by the carrier's recent joint venture with China Leasing International Corporation, reducing Norwegian's capital expenditure through shared ownership of 27 Airbus A320neo aircraft to be delivered to Norwegian between 2020 and 2023.