Sukhoi Holding CEO Mikhail Pogosyan is maintaining the initial forecast that the Sukhoi Superjet 100 will capture a 15%-17% share of the global 60/120-seat regional jet market over the next 20 years despite the industry downturn and entry into the market of Mitsubishi and China's AVIC.

"The arrival of two newcomers is an indication that this is a growing segment and confirms our strategy. The SSJ100 will offer 10% lower cash operating costs and 10% lower fuel burn compared to its closest competitor. This allows us to maintain our forecast," he said during a briefing with journalists last week at the Farnborough Airshow. In fact, he added, "we have raised our forecast following the concluding of the partnership with Alenia Aeronautica. We now aim to sell 1,040 SSJ100s in the next 20 years, up from our initial target of 800."

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. is still analyzing the economic rationale, market potential and technical requirements of launching different versions of the aircraft, SCAC President Victor Soubbotin confirmed. Possibilities are a stretch version with up to 130 seats in a single-class configuration, a freighter version and a business version. AMA Asset Management Advisors, which has ordered five, last week indicated it could place more orders soon, preferably of the business version.

"Not only our Swiss customer has interest in the business version. So probably the next model will be the business variant," Soubbotin said, while refraining from pinpointing a launch date and admitting that a freighter is not a priority.

A business version would require a longer range, which still could be powered by the PowerJet SaM146. The interior would be designed and fitted by SuperJet International, the JV with Alenia Aeronautica, "and the Italians are very good at that," Soubbotin laughed.

Prior to Farnborough, SCAC announced that delivery of the first SSJ100 to Aeroflot would be delayed one year to the second half of 2009.