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Vetsnik Kavkaza, Russia
Sept 28 2012
`Gagarin's' flight
David Tsukerman. Exclusively to VK
Recently many well-known information agencies published information
that the national airline company of Armenia - Armavia - rejected
Russian SuperJet-100 planes which had been ordered early and are
considered to be best passenger planes of Russia's reviving air
industry. At first, this information seemed to be fake and an attempt
by enemies to exaggerate insignificant disputes between the airline
company and the producer. However, the issue turned into a serious
case and both
SuperJets of the Armenian air company are situated in Zhukovski.
It is notable that, right after sales opened, Armavia was fast to
order the SuperJet-100. Such alertness made us think that Armavia's
business was on a roll and it needed to extend its airplane fleet. At
the same time, this order perfectly supported the producer's image -
the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. However, exports of the airplane have been
postponed several times, and the administration of Armavia expressed
dissatisfaction, but stated that it understood the situation.
On April 21, 2011, the first Sukhoi Superjet 100 made its first
regular flight from Yerevan to Moscow under the flag of the Armenian
national airline company. The plane was named after Yuri Gagarin. It
is interesting that Armavia launched `Yuri Gagarin' in an
unprecedentedly short period - two days after getting the plane. It
means the company indeed needed essentially new planes. By the way,
during the first flight of `Gagarin' engine problems were revealed.
Despite technical bugs, which are normal according to experts, the
administration of Armavia stated that it was satisfied with the plane
and looking forward to getting the second airplane. While waiting for
it, the airline company was using `Gagarin' intensively for flights to
Western Europe, the UAE, and the CIS countries. The plane had 1870
hours of flights in one year, implemented 760 flights and carried more
than 48 thousand passengers.
And in this context, information appeared that Armavia was refusing to
buy the second plane, and then it was stated that it was refusing the
first machine. At that moment, `Gagarin' was situated in Zhukovski.
Meanwhile, Armavia spread information that it intends to buy an Airbus
- A320 and two Boeings - the 737-700 and 737-800. Furthermore, the
administration of Armavia complained about its disappointment in
cooperation with the SCA.
Initially, the SCA administration didn't comment on the situation,
trying to settle it peacefully. The official representative of the
SCA, Andrey Muravyov, confirmed that both Armavia's planes are
situated in the SCA. He stated that no official documents on rejection
of the contract by the airline company were received by the
manufacturer. But several days later the vice-president of Sukhoi
Civil Aircraft, Yevgeny Konjkov, noted that the contract requires that
the producer can demand forfeits from Armavia for both planes.
Then, unofficial information about a million dollars was spread.
However, no actual activities followed the mutual accusations.
The majority of experts believe that Armavia refused to exploit the
SuperJet because of the economic situation of the company. The company
was forbidden to fly to Russia because of its debts for air-navigation
service amounting to $200 thousand. Last Thursday new disputes between
Armavia and the Yerevan airport Zvartnots appeared. The reason for the
conflict is Armavia's debts. Time will tell whether rejecting the
SuperJet will help Armavia to fix its situation or not.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/economy/31942.html
From: Baghdasarian
Sept 28 2012
`Gagarin's' flight
David Tsukerman. Exclusively to VK
Recently many well-known information agencies published information
that the national airline company of Armenia - Armavia - rejected
Russian SuperJet-100 planes which had been ordered early and are
considered to be best passenger planes of Russia's reviving air
industry. At first, this information seemed to be fake and an attempt
by enemies to exaggerate insignificant disputes between the airline
company and the producer. However, the issue turned into a serious
case and both
SuperJets of the Armenian air company are situated in Zhukovski.
It is notable that, right after sales opened, Armavia was fast to
order the SuperJet-100. Such alertness made us think that Armavia's
business was on a roll and it needed to extend its airplane fleet. At
the same time, this order perfectly supported the producer's image -
the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. However, exports of the airplane have been
postponed several times, and the administration of Armavia expressed
dissatisfaction, but stated that it understood the situation.
On April 21, 2011, the first Sukhoi Superjet 100 made its first
regular flight from Yerevan to Moscow under the flag of the Armenian
national airline company. The plane was named after Yuri Gagarin. It
is interesting that Armavia launched `Yuri Gagarin' in an
unprecedentedly short period - two days after getting the plane. It
means the company indeed needed essentially new planes. By the way,
during the first flight of `Gagarin' engine problems were revealed.
Despite technical bugs, which are normal according to experts, the
administration of Armavia stated that it was satisfied with the plane
and looking forward to getting the second airplane. While waiting for
it, the airline company was using `Gagarin' intensively for flights to
Western Europe, the UAE, and the CIS countries. The plane had 1870
hours of flights in one year, implemented 760 flights and carried more
than 48 thousand passengers.
And in this context, information appeared that Armavia was refusing to
buy the second plane, and then it was stated that it was refusing the
first machine. At that moment, `Gagarin' was situated in Zhukovski.
Meanwhile, Armavia spread information that it intends to buy an Airbus
- A320 and two Boeings - the 737-700 and 737-800. Furthermore, the
administration of Armavia complained about its disappointment in
cooperation with the SCA.
Initially, the SCA administration didn't comment on the situation,
trying to settle it peacefully. The official representative of the
SCA, Andrey Muravyov, confirmed that both Armavia's planes are
situated in the SCA. He stated that no official documents on rejection
of the contract by the airline company were received by the
manufacturer. But several days later the vice-president of Sukhoi
Civil Aircraft, Yevgeny Konjkov, noted that the contract requires that
the producer can demand forfeits from Armavia for both planes.
Then, unofficial information about a million dollars was spread.
However, no actual activities followed the mutual accusations.
The majority of experts believe that Armavia refused to exploit the
SuperJet because of the economic situation of the company. The company
was forbidden to fly to Russia because of its debts for air-navigation
service amounting to $200 thousand. Last Thursday new disputes between
Armavia and the Yerevan airport Zvartnots appeared. The reason for the
conflict is Armavia's debts. Time will tell whether rejecting the
SuperJet will help Armavia to fix its situation or not.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/economy/31942.html
From: Baghdasarian