Last year’s crash involving a Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) that claimed the lives of 45 was heartbreaking, but Sky Aviation president director Krisman Tarigan says that he is optimistic its first Russian aircraft will provide customers with safety and comfort, and attract a full complement of passengers in the first quarter of its operation.

Sky Aviation has received the first of its 12 SSJ 100s, designated to be stationed in Makassar, South Sulawesi, to serve routes to Denpasar, Bali; Balikpapan, East Kalimantan; and Sorong, Papua.

“The plane is scheduled for its first flight on March 10. We hope that we can reach at least 90 percent of load factor within a month of operation,” Krisman said during the launch of the plane in Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta on Thursday.

Sky Aviation signed a US$380 million-deal with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company to procure 12 jets, projected to be fully operational by 2015. Krisman said that four more jets would be delivered to Indonesia this year, three more in 2014, and the rest in the following year.

The first aircraft can accommodate 87 passengers comprising 12 business seats and 75 economy seats, with the other planes either having the same capacity or 98 seats.

The airline served mostly eastern Indonesia, Krisman said, an example of the carrier’s commitment to helping strengthen the country’s regional connectedness and economic growth. The routes are in line with the Transportation Ministry’s 130 new, approved commercial routes, 60 percent of which will serve eastern parts of Indonesia.

Krisman said last year’s accident would not hinder their commitment to providing passengers with a good service as safety was the company’s top priority.

An SSJ 100 crashed into Mount Salak, West Java, during an exhibition flight in May 2012, killing the crew, journalists and businessmen onboard the plane. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) concluded that unfamiliarity with the route and a distraction had caused the pilots to direct the plane into Mt. Salak. The report said the pilot ignored several warnings issued by the plane’s warning system.

Krisman said the accident, despite being heartbreaking, would not stop the carrier achieving its target nor would it scare off potential passengers.

“Stewardesses testify how comfortable the interior is with a wide corridor and overhead lockers that will ease their jobs and pilots say the cockpit technology is outstanding. The plane can fly at a maximum speed of 0.81 of the speed of sound at an altitude of 40,000 feet and can operate at inland airports with runways shorter than 2,000 meters. More importantly it has up to 40 percent greater fuel efficiency compared to similar aircraft, using 2,000 liters per hour. This is the best plane to serve the archipelago,” Krisman said.

“We have no strategy to reassure passengers how safe the plane is. Let time prove it. But to ensure safety we guarantee the availability of spare parts through cooperation with Italian-based Super Jet International” Krisman said.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Mikhail Yurievich Galuzin, said the accident should not discourage the partnership between Indonesia, Russia, the aircraft company and the carrier.

“For the lives that were lost in the accident, the project has to go on and we have to always maintain passenger safety above all else,” Mikhail said, adding that he proudly welcomed the first SSJ 100 to serve South East Asia,

Sukhoi regional representative Alexander Shmakov said that the first aircraft was a boost for his company’s market in Indonesia.

“We are proud that Sukhoi is highly appraised in Indonesia, both in the commercial and defense sectors, a reputation and cooperation we have to maintain,” he said. The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) also received two Sukhoi Su-30 MK2 jet fighters last Friday, with four more due in June and July.

On Sunday, a Sukhoi Superjet 100 failed to take off from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport after one of its engines malfunctioned, Reuters reported on Monday. A source close to Sukhoi confirmed the take-off failure but blamed the problem on the airline’s maintenance of the aircraft. The airline, Russia’s Aeroflot, did not respond to Reuters’ requests for information. (aml)

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