On the occasion of ALTA Airlines  Leaders Forum, held in Panama City, SuperJet International – joint  venture between Alenia Aermacchi and Sukhoi Holding – announced that the  Mexican airline Interjet, first SSJ100 western customer, added 10  options to its current firm order for 20 SSJ100 aircraft. Based on the  aircraft list price, the total Interjet order has a potential value of  over 1 billion dollars, including options.

The  first “green“ Interjet SSJ100 landed at Venice Marco Polo airport  (Italy) on October 6th 2012 for completion and customization at SuperJet  International’s facility. The Company is currently developing the EASA  STC, Supplemental Type Certification, for the interiors’ installation,  which will be branded by Pininfarina Italian Style.

SJI plans to deliver the first Interjet SSJ100 in March 2013 with a consequent delivery-rate of one aircraft per month.

Originally  Interjet signed a contract for the purchase of 15 SSJ100 aircraft with a  configuration of 93 seats plus 5 options. During the last Farnborough  Airshow Mr. Miguel Aleman Velasco, Chairman of Interjet announced the  decision of the airline to convert its five options into firm orders,  thus bringing to 20 the number of firm aircraft. Now the Customer  extends the agreement covering the 10 additional options.

“This  new agreement confirms the solid relationship we have established with  Interjet since the signature of our deal and it proves the strong belief  of the Customer in the SSJ100 product and services – states Nazario  Cauceglia, Chief Executive Officer of SuperJet International – We are  currently working in Venice to grant a first-class service and we are  also confident that these 10 options will be soon converted into firm  orders”.

The  SSJ100 aircraft, developed and built by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company  (SCAC), a Sukhoi and Alenia Aermacchi Company, is a technologically  advanced regional aircraft which provides the maximum efficiency in the  high altitude/high temperature typical of Mexico and fits with  Interjet’s high operational and customer service standards.

In  April 2012 the SSJ100 received the Mexican Certification confirming its  compliance with the requirements of the Mexican Aviation Authority.

SuperJet  International will be also in charge of training. By the end of  November 2012 the first Full Flight Simulator (FFS) will arrive in  Venice and it will be installed at the SJI Training Center to enable the  Mexican carrier’s pilots to start training in January 2013.

Sukhoi SuperJet press release