Russian airways warn that lack of American-made components threatens to floor all the Superjet fleet
In keeping with the primary deputy director at Russian regional airline IrAero, drying up provide of US-made spark plugs, wanted for the engines of Russia’s Sukhoi Superjet passenger plane, might result in grounding of some airplanes and probably of all the fleet “within the close to future.”
Within the letter despatched by the airline official to Russian commerce ministry final month, he warns that the shortage of American-made components threatens to floor some Superjets “within the close to future and a gradual cessation of flights of all the plane fleet.”
The acute scarcity of spark plugs wanted for the engines of Russian passenger jets occurred as results of the sanctions concentrating on Russian aviation, imposed by america and different Western international locations over Russia attacked Ukraine, launching a brutal warfare of aggression in opposition to peaceable neighbor.
Apart from IrAero, a number of different Russian airways are coping with the rising downside of foreign-made plane components scarcity.
Russian passenger airline sector at the moment is at the moment dealing with a significant disaster as a result of spark plug deficit, Azimuth Airways chairman stated, whereas Yakutia Airways officers stated that the service not has any new spark plugs in inventory.
Rossiya Airways, which is a part of the Aeroflot group, can also be being affected. The service, which is the biggest operator of the Superjet, is predicted to maintain solely 30 of its 76 Superjet plane in service.
In keeping with IrAero’s chief govt, the shortage of essential components jeopardizes passenger flights and may additionally have a significant influence on air fare charges.
“We hope Russian trade resolves the difficulty as quickly as doable,” airline official stated, warning that the airline must cease working its jets if there isn’t any decision.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100, a regional plane designed by Russia’s United Plane Company, made its maiden flight in 2008, whereas the primary industrial flight was carried out in April 2011.
The jet is supplied with Sam-146 engines produced by a three way partnership between French Safran and Russian state-owned United Engine Company. The spark plugs for the SaM-146 engines have been manufactured by the US-based firm Unison Industries.
In March 2022, PowerJet, the Russian-French producer of the SaM146 engines, stated it might droop its engine upkeep and restore companies.
