Russians - Win some, loose some

VLM To Debut Superjet in Western Europe

AIN AIR TRANSPORT PERSPECTIVE » NOVEMBER 3, 2014

by  GREGORY POLEK

The Superjet 100 will appear in the skies of Western Europe next year if an LOI between VLM and Russian leasing company IFC becomes a firm order. (Photo: Superjet International)

October 29, 2014, 10:13 AM

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 will soon find its first home in Western Europe under the terms of a letter of intent between Moscow-based aircraft lessor Ilyushin Finance and Belgian carrierVLM Airlines. The LOI calls for VLM to take a pair of SSJ100LRs in April next year under a 12-year operating lease, just ahead of the launch of the airline’s planned regional services from its base in Antwerp. The deal includes options on another two SSJ100s and so-called purchase rights on another 10.

Bombardier Shelves Plans for Russian-built Q400s

AIN AIR TRANSPORT PERSPECTIVE » NOVEMBER 3, 2014

by  GREGORY POLEK

The Bombardier Q400 will remain exclusively Canadian made “for the time being.” (Photo: Bombardier)

October 30, 2014, 3:22 PM

Bombardier has decided to set aside plans to collaborate with Russian industrial conglomerate Rostec to establish an assembly line near Moscow for the Q400 turboprop, the Canadian company’s CEO, Pierre Beaudoin, confirmed during its third-quarter earnings briefing on Thursday. Beaudoin attributed the decision to shelve the plans to the “political situation” stemming from Western sanctions leveled against the Kremlin for its involvement in Crimea and alleged support of Ukrainian separatists. Although he insisted that talks between Bombardier and Rostec continue, any agreement to establish a Q400 assembly line in Russia will have to wait until “conditions” improve.

“Given the political situation and the economy in Russia right now we’re setting this project aside for the time being and we’ll see what happens over the next number of months,” said Beaudoin. “Right now the conditions are not right to move ahead with that project.”