Interjet grounds two-thirds of SSJ100 fleet

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Mexico's Interjet has grounded more than two-thirds of its Sukhoi Superjet 100 fleet, with dozens of engines out of service as the airline remains locked in talks with Sukhoi over the withdrawal of the aircraft.

Fifteen of Interjet's 22 SSJ100s are in storage while only seven aircraft remain in service, Cirium's Fleets Analyzer shows. The stored aircraft were parked as early as April 2018, although about half of the 15 aircraft went into storage in the second half of 2018. Since the year began, Interjet has parked two more SSJ100s, the database shows.

Sources familiar with the situation say Interjet wants to sell its SSJ100 fleet back to Sukhoi, but is deadlocked in talks with the manufacturer, who wants the airline to keep operating the aircraft.

Dozens of PowerJet SaM146 engines are out of service as Interjet has not paid for engine repairs, say sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Threats are exchanged, but no solution is visible," a source tells FlightGlobal. PowerJet did not respond to questions from FlightGlobal.

Interjet, which is Mexico's third largest airline, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. The airline took delivery of its most recent SSJ100 in July 2016, Cirium Fleets Analyzer shows. It has eight SSJ100s on order but it is not immediately clear if those aircraft will be delivered.

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