Egypt may order up to 40 Russian Sukhoi airliners

Moscow and Cairo are discussing the possibility EgyptAir buying Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) aircraft, according to Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.

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"We are now discussing the possibility of delivering up to 40 airplanes: 20 plus an option for other 20. This is a big ambitious project," Manturov told Rossiya 24 TV channel on Wednesday.

He says the agreement depends on many factors, particularly on the financial conditions.

“What is most important, there is good will, desire and a clear program what aircraft will be replaced by our SSJ-100 aircraft," said the minister.

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He also talked about the Russian-Egyptian intergovernmental memorandum on supplying four SSJ-100 aircraft to the Egyptian charter airline Air Leisure. The memorandum includes an option for six more planes. The first four airliners will be delivered before the end of the year, said Manturov.

One of the biggest airlines in Europe, Air France-KLM, intends to wet lease Superjets from Irish regional airline CityJet this May.

Last year CityJet announced that it had chosen the SSJ-100 to enhance its fleet and network development program. The company placed an order for 15 aircraft with an option to buy 10 more.

The 98-seat SSJ-100 has been developed by the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company and is an advanced commercial aircraft which can be operated on short-to-medium range routes, and has a range of up to 4,500 kilometers.