PARIS. June 14 (Interfax-AVN) - A contract on delivering Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) aircraft to the Aeroflot air carrier is expected to be signed in the near future, Viktor Subbotin, Director General of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, said on Tuesday.
"At the present time, our company is conducting intensive negotiations with Aeroflot, and I hope that we will sign a contract on delivering 50 aircraft in the near future," Subbotin said at the presentation of the revised RRJ program timeframe at Paris Air Show 2005 in Le Bourget.
According to him, Sukhoi is also conducting negotiations with the Financial Leasing Company, which is also interested in the RRJ and wants 30 75- and 95-seat aircraft.
He noted that Sukhoi had earlier signed a contract with the Siberia Airlines on delivering 50 95-seat aircraft.
"As far as the three companies are concerned, we have made great progress with regards to contacts. Other air carriers, which may procure a total of 50 aircraft, include Transaero, UTair, and Pulkovo," Subborin said.
According to him, the main objective is to sell aircraft in Russia, start operating them, and demonstrate their advantages to the whole world.
"We aim to secure 250 contracts by late 2006. We expect to involve European companies in 2006, as well as explore the U.S. market, which features the greatest demand for aircraft of this type," Subbotin said.
He noted that Sukhoi tried to take into consideration every comment of air carriers with regards to the design of the aircraft.