May 09 2012

Sukhoi Superjet Demonstrator lost near Jakarta

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 demonstrator aircraft with more than 40 people on board went missing south of Jakarta, Indonesia during a demonstration flight today.

The aircraft lost was the third prototype built: MSN 95004, registration 97004, an SSJ100-95 model.

Superjet MSN 95004

The aircraft vanished from radar around the Bogor area. It was on the second of two demonstration flights. The aircraft took off at 2 pm (0700 GMT) from Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma airport on a flight around the immediate region. Police, military and rescue workers were beginning a search for the aircraft and any survivors.

The exact number of persons on board is unclear, but most reports indicated 46 persons. Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported 36 non-Russians on board and eight Russians, four of them crew and the others Sukhoi company representatives.

According to the Sukhoi website, the aircraft was on a “Welcome Asia” tour, piloted by the program’s chief test pilot Alexander Yablontsev and co-pilot Alexander Kochetkov. After the Jakarta visit, the plane was scheduled to visit Laos and Vietnam. It had already made stops in Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Myanmar as part of its sales tour in the region.

A list of 36 passenger names posted at Halim airport revealed that most of the passengers were Indonesian airline and aviation officials, with five journalists and a representative of French aircraft engine maker SNECMA on board as well..

The Superjet is a joint venture between Sukhoi and Italy’s Alenia Aeronautica. The Superjet 100 is designed to carry up to 98 passengers and competes with Embraer and Bombardier in the 80-100 seat regional jet market.

The aircraft is currently operated by Aeroflot and Armavia, although the program is holding orders from other airlines. The first commercial flight for the type was operated by Armavia in April 2011 and Aeroflot followed later in 2011. It is understood that Kartika Airlines and Sky Aviation have both placed orders for the Superjet.

The Superjet has experienced some difficulties while being flown by Aeroflot. The first aircraft delivered spent several weeks grounded upon delivery because of an air conditioning problem, and in March of 2012, an aircraft had problems with its landing gear.

The total in-service fleet as of May 2012 is seven aircraft.

May 04 2012

Iraqi Airways may alter future regional jet purchase plans

Reports in the media have indicated that Iraqi Airways may be considering cancelling its outstanding orders with Bombardier for the balance of its CRJ 900 options with the manufacturer. This would involve the cancellation of four aircraft still on option by the carrier.

The four aircraft were to be used in a joint-venture airline start-up with Kuwait Airways.

Iraqi Airways CRJ900

Iraqi Airways CRJ900

The airline currently operates six Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft but had been expected to exercise an option for the four aircraft to support the start-up venture. The Iraqi government advised Bombardier that it has postponed delivery until further notice.

General consensus is that the airline might be better served by operating either the Boeing 737 Max or the A320 Neo aircraft. Bombardier is assumed to be offering their C-Series aircraft to the airline to meet the new requirement.

The current CRJ-900 fleet operated by Iraqi Airways includes:

  • YI-AQA MSN 15189
  • YI-AQB MSN 15202
  • YI-AQC MSN 15213
  • YI-AQD MSN 15220
  • YI-AQE MSN 15265
  • YI-AQF MSN 15266

May 01 2012

WestJet selects DHC-8Q-400s for regional carrier

Westjet LogoWestJet Airlines announced today that it has selected Bombardier to supply the airliners for its new regional service. The airline has placed firm orders for 20 Bombardier Q400s and taken options on 25 others. The delivery schedule is for the aircraft to be delivered over the next six years. WestJet expects to launch their regional subsidiary in the first quarter of 2013.

There had been some speculation the order could go to ATR of France, but this announcement ended that rumor.

The cost of the order  was not announced by the airline or Bombardier. The aircraft will be built at Bombardier’s  Downsview factory.

WestJet also released its first quarter 2012 financial report, which included a record first-quarter profit. The airline’s net income was $68.3 million, or 49 cents, per diluted share; up from $48.2 million, or 34 cents per diluted share in the first quarter of 2011. Revenue was nearly $891 million, up from $772.4 million a year earlier.

Apr 25 2012

CSeries operational date set for late 2013

Bombardier_logoBombardier announced today that the CSeries aircraft program is on schedule for a late 2013 entry into operational service. The program has begun the first series of systems tests and simulations and these tests will continue throughout 2012 prior to flight testing of the aircraft.

The program has had its suppliers undertaking system, component and materials testing prior to the assembly of the prototype aircraft at Bombardier’s final assembly plant in Montreal. As well, Pratt & Whitney has over 1,300 hours of engine testing accomplished to date on the PW1500G powerplant it is suppling to Bombardier for the program.

The program still has the first flight of the prototype aircraft scheduled for the end of 2012 with all flight testing completed by the summer of 2013 prior to initial deliveries to customers.