Preliminary tests have been passed by a new generation of Russian passenger plane, the Sukhoi Superjet-100. The aviation project, costing around $US 1.4 billion, is to help overhaul Russia's ageing passenger aircraft fleet.

On Friday, the Superjet-100 was put on show after passing its tests with flying colours at Khabarovsk airport. Now the airliner is ready for certification trials, which are expected to be completed by the second half of 2009. Another 500 flight hours are needed before the plane is allowed to carry passengers.

The Sukhoi Superjet is a short-distance airplane. So far, since its maiden flight in May, aviation specialists and potential clients have been its main passengers.

The $US 1.5 billion dollar Superjet project is the first civil aviation venture of a company well-known for its military airplanes. The armies of 30 countries around the globe are equipped with Sukhoi SU fighter jets.

The head of the Sukhoi aviation company, Mikhail Pogosyan, believes the new plane will leave the rivals behind.
 
“The main rivals of the Sukhoi superjet are Embraer and Bombardier. The Sukhoi's fuel efficiency is 10 per cent better than theirs. Our plane beats its rivals in eco-friendliness, lower noise and emission levels, lower operational costs and higher comfort, which is very important for passengers,” he said.

And he has no doubts the demand will be high.

“We have orders for 100 planes which we’ll be turning out in 2009 and 2010. Our prospects for the next four years are good. I believe by the time we begin supply, we’ll be getting permanent orders for more than 200 planes,” Pogosyan said.

Production hasn’t yet started, but the plane is already on sale, with 1800 aircraft to be delivered by 2027. Of these 300 will serve to upgrade Russia’s air fleet, while 800 others will be winging their way to foreign markets.