Russian airways warn that lack of American-made elements 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, may 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 dearth of American-made elements 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 the USA and different Western nations over Russia attacked Ukraine, launching a brutal battle of aggression towards peaceable neighbor.
Moreover IrAero, a number of different Russian airways are coping with the rising drawback of foreign-made plane elements scarcity.
Russian passenger airline sector at present is at present going through a serious disaster as a result of spark plug deficit, Azimuth Airways chairman mentioned, whereas Yakutia Airways officers mentioned that the provider now not has any new spark plugs in inventory.
Rossiya Airways, which is a part of the Aeroflot group, can also be being affected. The provider, 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 government, the dearth of crucial elements jeopardizes passenger flights and may additionally have a serious affect on air fare charges.
“We hope Russian trade resolves the difficulty as quickly as potential,” airline official mentioned, warning that the airline must cease working its jets if there isn’t a decision.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100, a regional plane designed by Russia’s United Plane Company, made its maiden flight in 2008, whereas the primary business flight was carried out in April 2011.
The jet is provided 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, mentioned it could droop its engine upkeep and restore companies.
