RuAviation

PJSC Yakovlev has completed the reconfiguration of the cabins of nine SSJ100 aircraft belonging to Rossiya Airlines. The aeroplanes have been converted to a single-class configuration with 100 passenger seats. The work was carried out at Yakovlev’s aviation-technical complex in Zhukovsky.

“The modification of the cabins has been underway since the middle of last year,” Yakovlev noted. The re-configuration required the development of new design solutions and modifications to interior elements. This is due to the cessation of deliveries of imported components. Specialists from Yakovlev, UAC-Engineering and Aviation Interiors were responsible for addressing these challenges.

Dmitry Borisenko, Deputy Director General of PJSC Yakovlev, said that the re-equipment of the SSJ100 was successfully implemented under sanctions thanks to the professionalism of the project team. “The requirements are dictated by the customer, and we, as the manufacturer, are accommodating,” he added.

According to Yan Burg, General Director of Rossiya Airlines, the project was large-scale and complex. “With the assistance of PJSC Yakovlev, it was completed successfully and on time. Re-configuring the fleet provides greater flexibility of the fleet. For certain services, it is more appropriate to use aircraft with a 100-seat economy layout instead of a two-class layout,” Burg emphasised. Previously, Rossiya Airlines’ SSJ100s had 12 business class seats and 75 economy seats.

The SSJ100, remaining the only offering in the 100-seat aircraft segment, combines the comfort and automation of mainline airliners with the economy of regional models. The Russian aircraft offers a spacious cabin, wide seats and enlarged overhead lockers.

A cabin with 70-110 passenger seats is considered the optimal size for modern regional jet aircraft. Such aircraft provide sufficient load on routes with moderate passenger traffic of 1.5-2 million passengers per year, allow airlines to minimise subsidies per passenger compared to narrow-body airliners and are optimal for flights on new routes without the risk of under-utilisation. Popular models offered in this size range include the Embraer E-Jets (E175/E190) and Bombardier CRJ700/900.

A key difference between the SSJ100 and its competitors is the variability of cabin configurations, in which eight business class seats can be installed. In a configuration of four seats per row, a full business class is achieved with the same level of comfort for all passengers. The aircraft can be reconfigured into a full business class configuration or a first-class cabin option.

A passenger cabin without business class will allow Rossiya Airlines to use the SSJ100 more efficiently on routes with high passenger traffic and reduce operating costs. Currently, all nine SSJ100 aircraft participating in the programme have been converted to a 100-seat configuration.