28 June 2016
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
CityJet introduced its new Superjet SSJ100 aircraft into service on one of its scheduled routes today when it departed Cork for La Rochelle in France.
Passengers on the scheduled Summer route were able to enjoy the luxury leather interior and greater legroom which Ireland’s Euro16 players sampled on their journey to and from France. CityJet, official airline partner of the Football Association of Ireland, made the SSJ100 available to carry the “Boys in Green.”
CityJet, which operates routes to La Rochelle and Nantes from Cork Airport, is the first European airline to operate the Superjet SSJ100 in a deal that is worth over $1 billion. The 98-seat Superjet is a joint venture between Finmeccanica of Italy and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Corporation of Russia. It received its European certification in 2012. CityJet has orders for 15 and options on a further 16.
Pat Byrne, Executive Chairman of CityJet, said: “We are delighted that today we operated our maiden scheduled service for the Superjet SSJ100. We have flown the aircraft on charter services and of course in carrying the football team to Paris and back. We are very proud of the aircraft and we look forward to introducing our customers to its high levels of comfort and efficiency in the coming years.”
The CityJet Superjet SSJ100 aircraft has a 98-seat configuration laid out five abreast in a generous 32” seat pitch combining a wider seat and cabin height of over two metres for greater passenger comfort. The interior has been designed by Italian car designers Pininfarina, who are well known for some Ferrari and Alfa Romeo designs.
