Aeroflot CEO Warns Superjet 100 Fleet Faces Gradual Phase-Out Without State Funding
Without state subsidies, Russian airlines may not be able to replace Western engines on Yakovlev Superjet 100 aircraft with domestic PD-8 engines, Aeroflot's chief warns. The manufacturer's head disputes the threat, saying up to 100 aircraft could be converted.
Aeroflot CEO Sergei Alexandrovsky has warned that Russian airlines could face a gradual phase-out of their Yakovlev Superjet 100 fleets unless the state subsidizes replacement of Western engines with the domestically produced PD-8. According to data from aviation data portal CH-Aviation, 154 Superjet 100 aircraft are currently operated by 17 Russian carriers. The PD-8 is meant to replace Western engines that Safran can no longer service due to sanctions. The conversion is complex. It involves new nacelles, plus modifications to wing pylons, the wing box, and onboard electronics. Costs are estimated at 2.1 to 2.3 billion rubles (roughly 21 to 22.6 million euros) per aircraft.
Industry representatives at meetings of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) operators concluded that the engine swap makes economic sense for only about 50 aircraft. For the rest, other critical components are already so worn that re-engining is no longer worthwhile. UAC head Vadim Badekha disputes this figure. He says between 50 and 100 aircraft could be converted, and he considers state support unnecessary.
Sources
- aerotelegraph.comAeroflot-Chef warnt vor Ende des Superjet 100