VLM To Debut Superjet in Western Europe

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 will soon find its first home in Western Europe under the terms of a letter of intent between Moscow-based aircraft lessor Ilyushin Finance and Belgian carrier VLM Airlines. The LOI calls for VLM to take a pair of SSJ100LRs in April next year under a 12-year operating lease, just ahead of the launch of the airline’s planned regional services from its base in Antwerp. The deal includes options on another two SSJ100s and so-called purchase rights on another 10.

VLM has yet to announce details surrounding its plans for a new regional network, but the vote of confidence in the Russian-built jet by a Western European operator comes at a particularly opportune time for Sukhoi. U.S. and European sanctions targeting the Kremlin in response to its activities in Crimea and alleged support for pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine have discouraged new Western investment in Russian enterprises. With the help of Russian-backed financing, VLM appears to have bucked a trend.

Founded in 1993, VLM operates so-called wet lease and charter airline services with a fleet of 13 Fokker turboprops, serving airlines, tour operators, corporations, government and military organizations. Flying as a unit of Air France-KLM subsidiary CityJet since 2008, VLM Airlines just this month underwent a management buyout from German investment company Intro Aviation.

“While VLM Airlines will continue offering ACMI and charter services with our Fokker 50 fleet, we see an exciting opportunity as a niche scheduled operator,” said VLM Airlines CEO Arthur White. “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 SSJ100LR won hands down.”

Although it has attracted orders from several Russian and CIS customers, as well as a few small airlines in southeast Asia, the Superjet has struggled to penetrate Western markets. Its only other Western customer, Mexico’s Interjet, now flies 11 of the airplanes in a 93-seat configuration and reports relatively high dispatch reliability since the type’s entry into service in September last year.