Decision on increasing SSJ100 capacity to 130 seats due before year-end - Manturov
ZHUKOVSKY. Aug 21 (Interfax) - The issue of increasing passenger capacity on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) to 130 seats from 115 will be decided before year-end, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told journalists on Friday.
"There is a program for developing aviation equipment that clearly prescribes the model lineup. As for the SSJ, we must look at its further development from the standpoint of increasing its passenger capacity to 130 seats from 115. This project is currently being worked out. Before the end of the year we, jointly with UAC [United Aircraft Corporation], must make a decision on the future fate of the development of this project," Manturov said.
Once this question is decided, there must be a further decision concerning the engine that will be installed on the plane.
"The engine that is currently installed, the SaM146, is not designed for an increase in capacity to 130 passengers. We will make a decision concerning the engine and, most likely, the PD-14 turbofan engine being developed for the MS-21 passenger jet will be taken as the basis," Manturov said.
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) is the designer and manufacturer of the SSJ100 together with Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi. The plane made its first flight in May 2008. Aeroflot Russian Airlines is the new plane's biggest customer.