VLM Airlines have reappeared into action recently, after its buyout buy Intro Aviation, and purchase by its management – and is making a splash by being the first operator in Europe of the Sukhoi Superjet 100
I can see a few of you at the back are confused. A whaty whatyjet 100?
The Sukhoi Superjet is a joint Russian product by the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company and Alenia Aermacchi, competing with the Embraer E-Jet series, Bombardier CSeries and CRJ Series and even the Antonv AN-158.
The plane itself is an attractive looking plane – and looks like this:
VLM intends to be the first operator of the type in Europe – and specificity, the first to operate the SuperJet 100LR (Long Range) varient.
The Sukhoi Superjet will be used to fuel VLM’s expansion in 2015 as it breaks free from CityJet to increase regional services and more from its base at Antwerp, operating in a 12 seat business class, 75 seat economy class service.
The first two aircraft will be leased from the Ilyushin Finance Company for 12 years, with options lease another two, to purchase an additional 10 aircraft to add to the VLM Airlines Fleet.
For VLM, it marks their entry becoming a jet operator as opposed to running Fokker 50 Turboprop aircraft, and they’re happy about it with Arthur White, CEO of VLM Airlines, stating
“The Sukhoi Superjet 100 LR fits our new strategy perfectly, with its exceptional efficiency and performance, advanced fly-by-wire technologies and spacious cabin.
“We looked at a number of aircraft types in the 100-seat range to see which would give the best passenger experience, flexibility in short-to-medium range destinations and low operating costs – the SSJ100 LR won hands down.”
For the Superjet programme, this is a very big deal, as this will be the first Western European operater of the type – with the hope other operators buy in to the product.
There are forty five Superjets flying in the world at the moment, operated mainly by Russian carriers, as well as Mexican carrier Interjet who operate the type in Mexico and beyond.
It’s a striking step forward from this carrier, who have been running leases and turboprop services – and hopefully for VLM Airlines, this can really jump-start their services and long distance regional ambitions.
Certainly, I’ll be keeping a close eye on VLM as it strikes out on its own, and creating its own destiny.
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