Sukhoi, a Russian company known for its supersonic fighter jets, is hoping to crack the international market with a new plane designed for regional travel.
The new Superjet100, the first new Russian civilian aircraft since the demise of the Soviet Union, is designed to take on regional jet makers Embraer of Brazil and Bombardier of Canada.
But most aviation analysts think Sukhoi will have a tough time breaking into the market, according to a New York Times article. Here are some of the reasons given in the article:
- Airliners are slow to trust plans from new companies because of concerns about passenger safety and what a mishap would do to their reputation.
- Russia's top aircraft maker, United Aircraft Corporation, has an image problem with its Tupolev jet after a couple of recent air disasters and several safety problems.
- The Superjet 100 weighs nearly two tons more than the original designs indicated, affecting its fuel economy estimates. This is critical given high jet fuel prices.
- Just last year, a Russian television station revealed that 70 engineers at the Superjet plant had fake engineering diplomas. Although a company official said those employees were not involved in manufacturing the plane, it hardly is a confidence builder.
- The plane has been certified to fly only in former Soviet countries. It still needs certification in Europe. Sukhoi said it will apply for certification to the Federal Aviation Administration only after it has received an order from a U.S. airliner.
