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DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 21, 2011 Friday
"THE MORE SUPERJET IS CRITICIZED THE BIGGER RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER"
by Sergei Starikov
SECTION: MILITARY INDUSTRIES & CONVERSION; No. 151
HIGHLIGHT: INTERVIEW OF PRESIDENT OF AIR COMPANY ARMAVIA MIKHAIL
BAGDASAROV; Armenian air company Armavia, the starting customer of new
Russian airliner Superjet, plans to receive the first airplane between
February and March of 2011. Despite the difficult burden of the
pioneer, the air company has no apprehensions about quality of the new
airplane.
Armenian air company Armavia, the starting customer of new Russian
airliner Superjet, plans to receive the first airplane between
February and March of 2011. Despite the difficult burden of the
pioneer, the air company has no apprehensions about quality of the new
airplane.
Question: When will Armavia receive Superjet airplanes? Have you
already determined the route network? Do I understand it right that so
far these airplanes can be operated only in the countries where
certification of the International Aviation Committee is recognized?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: We plan to put the first Superjet into operation
between February and March of 2011. Its first flight will take place
at that time. Due to understandable reasons, I cannot name the precise
date yet. The plans were slightly different but there was a delay in
obtaining of the certificate for the first series-made airplane of
this type. Preparation of pilots and technical staff is currently
underway.
In the future Superjet will be operated not only in flights to Moscow
but also in all 22 Russian flights of our network. In any case, the
first airplane will fly among Yerevan, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Question: Are you not afraid that something may happen because the
airplane has not transported passengers yet?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Nothing will happen if everything is prepared and
well considered. We understand that the first customers are always in
a difficult position but we have a possibility to demand what the
follow-up buyers cannot afford from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, a
certain negative attitude to the domestic aircraft builders, first of
all, producers of civil airplanes, was formed in the Russian society
under influence of mass media. If it does not change such industry
will not be necessary for anyone soon. As to the contractual terms,
they change for the better for Armavia because of delay in its
fulfillment. So, I would like to say that approach to business of
Sukhoi Civil Airplanes (SCA) changed seriously in the last few years.
In the past, this was obviously a company that did not inspire
optimism. Due to this reason we rejected Superjet airplanes for a long
time. Now SCA does not differ very much from European designers and
manufacturers, we as buyers of airplanes have felt this and have
started trusting them.
With regard to critique of the project in mass media, it seems to me
that it is better for us if it is criticized. Only in this case the
manufacturer will have responsible attitude to its product.
Question: Incidentally, have the pilots been trained, because there is
no simulator for this airplane still?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: SSJ is not new in avionics. It is a continuation
of the family of Airbus airplanes that we operate actively. That is
why several hours of training are enough and pilots will be able to
pilot the airplane perfectly well.
Question: What if passengers do not wish to fly the new airplane? Or,
on the contrary, is there increased interest in the first flight?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Passengers do not know yet which of the fifth
daily flights to Moscow will be performed by Superjet. There are only
A319 airplanes in the schedule now. A month before a flight we cannot
include the name of an airplane into the booking systems. Such
information will appear a few days before a flight. If a passenger
does not wish to fly it (I doubt this), we can change the flight and
airplane type without any problem. I am not afraid that the quantity
of passengers will decrease for the flight where it is written SSJ. I
think that the process will be the opposite. I will fly in the first
flight too.
Question: Have you already flown SSJ?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Not yet. The airplane has not passed certification
and we cannot breach the rules. SSJ airplane passed two months of
tests in Armenia in the hot season in high mountain conditions. We
were even pleasantly surprised that the airplane performed so well.
Question: The technical data of the airplane differ slightly from what
has been declared before. How do you solve this problem with the
manufacturer?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Practically all characteristics of Superjet
correspond to the previously announced ones except for growth of
weight by two tons. I do not think that this is a problem for the
airplane. Despite this it can compete against any airplanes of this
class! Along with this, there is a hope that some time later we will
be able to exchange the airplane for the airplane that complies with
all parameters, even if this happens a year or two later.
Question: What should SCA do to this airplane?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: It is possible to put this airplane into a museum.
Do not forget that this is airplane number one.
Question: How much have you estimated delay in supply of this airliner?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Negotiations are underway. I cannot say anything new.
Question: What is the strategy for development of the airplane fleet of Armavia?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: We have a contract on purchase of five SSJ
airplanes now. As you understand, it is too early to speak about the
precise time of their supply. We will operate two regional CRJ 200. We
are finally buying out one of the A320 airplanes that we have operated
and we also plan to buy Boeing 777. Overall, by 2014 we plan to
operate already 30 airplanes.
Question: Have you looked at An-148?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: This airplane also makes a pleasant impression but
there are some aspects that raise questions. Unlike SSJ, it is
produced by an airplane that does not make military products. Spare
parts for An-148 are not produced by well-known international
companies unlike for Superjet. Components that do not comply with
international standards yet are mounted on it. Russian industry needs
time to make An148 an airplane recognized all over the world.
Source: RBC daily, January 19, 2011, p. 11
From: A. Papazian
January 21, 2011 Friday
"THE MORE SUPERJET IS CRITICIZED THE BIGGER RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER"
by Sergei Starikov
SECTION: MILITARY INDUSTRIES & CONVERSION; No. 151
HIGHLIGHT: INTERVIEW OF PRESIDENT OF AIR COMPANY ARMAVIA MIKHAIL
BAGDASAROV; Armenian air company Armavia, the starting customer of new
Russian airliner Superjet, plans to receive the first airplane between
February and March of 2011. Despite the difficult burden of the
pioneer, the air company has no apprehensions about quality of the new
airplane.
Armenian air company Armavia, the starting customer of new Russian
airliner Superjet, plans to receive the first airplane between
February and March of 2011. Despite the difficult burden of the
pioneer, the air company has no apprehensions about quality of the new
airplane.
Question: When will Armavia receive Superjet airplanes? Have you
already determined the route network? Do I understand it right that so
far these airplanes can be operated only in the countries where
certification of the International Aviation Committee is recognized?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: We plan to put the first Superjet into operation
between February and March of 2011. Its first flight will take place
at that time. Due to understandable reasons, I cannot name the precise
date yet. The plans were slightly different but there was a delay in
obtaining of the certificate for the first series-made airplane of
this type. Preparation of pilots and technical staff is currently
underway.
In the future Superjet will be operated not only in flights to Moscow
but also in all 22 Russian flights of our network. In any case, the
first airplane will fly among Yerevan, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Question: Are you not afraid that something may happen because the
airplane has not transported passengers yet?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Nothing will happen if everything is prepared and
well considered. We understand that the first customers are always in
a difficult position but we have a possibility to demand what the
follow-up buyers cannot afford from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, a
certain negative attitude to the domestic aircraft builders, first of
all, producers of civil airplanes, was formed in the Russian society
under influence of mass media. If it does not change such industry
will not be necessary for anyone soon. As to the contractual terms,
they change for the better for Armavia because of delay in its
fulfillment. So, I would like to say that approach to business of
Sukhoi Civil Airplanes (SCA) changed seriously in the last few years.
In the past, this was obviously a company that did not inspire
optimism. Due to this reason we rejected Superjet airplanes for a long
time. Now SCA does not differ very much from European designers and
manufacturers, we as buyers of airplanes have felt this and have
started trusting them.
With regard to critique of the project in mass media, it seems to me
that it is better for us if it is criticized. Only in this case the
manufacturer will have responsible attitude to its product.
Question: Incidentally, have the pilots been trained, because there is
no simulator for this airplane still?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: SSJ is not new in avionics. It is a continuation
of the family of Airbus airplanes that we operate actively. That is
why several hours of training are enough and pilots will be able to
pilot the airplane perfectly well.
Question: What if passengers do not wish to fly the new airplane? Or,
on the contrary, is there increased interest in the first flight?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Passengers do not know yet which of the fifth
daily flights to Moscow will be performed by Superjet. There are only
A319 airplanes in the schedule now. A month before a flight we cannot
include the name of an airplane into the booking systems. Such
information will appear a few days before a flight. If a passenger
does not wish to fly it (I doubt this), we can change the flight and
airplane type without any problem. I am not afraid that the quantity
of passengers will decrease for the flight where it is written SSJ. I
think that the process will be the opposite. I will fly in the first
flight too.
Question: Have you already flown SSJ?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Not yet. The airplane has not passed certification
and we cannot breach the rules. SSJ airplane passed two months of
tests in Armenia in the hot season in high mountain conditions. We
were even pleasantly surprised that the airplane performed so well.
Question: The technical data of the airplane differ slightly from what
has been declared before. How do you solve this problem with the
manufacturer?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Practically all characteristics of Superjet
correspond to the previously announced ones except for growth of
weight by two tons. I do not think that this is a problem for the
airplane. Despite this it can compete against any airplanes of this
class! Along with this, there is a hope that some time later we will
be able to exchange the airplane for the airplane that complies with
all parameters, even if this happens a year or two later.
Question: What should SCA do to this airplane?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: It is possible to put this airplane into a museum.
Do not forget that this is airplane number one.
Question: How much have you estimated delay in supply of this airliner?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: Negotiations are underway. I cannot say anything new.
Question: What is the strategy for development of the airplane fleet of Armavia?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: We have a contract on purchase of five SSJ
airplanes now. As you understand, it is too early to speak about the
precise time of their supply. We will operate two regional CRJ 200. We
are finally buying out one of the A320 airplanes that we have operated
and we also plan to buy Boeing 777. Overall, by 2014 we plan to
operate already 30 airplanes.
Question: Have you looked at An-148?
Mikhail Bagdasarov: This airplane also makes a pleasant impression but
there are some aspects that raise questions. Unlike SSJ, it is
produced by an airplane that does not make military products. Spare
parts for An-148 are not produced by well-known international
companies unlike for Superjet. Components that do not comply with
international standards yet are mounted on it. Russian industry needs
time to make An148 an airplane recognized all over the world.
Source: RBC daily, January 19, 2011, p. 11
From: A. Papazian