
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has taken delivery of two Sukhoi Business Jet (SBJ) aircraft from Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC).
The aircraft were delivered as part of a contract signed by RTAF to purchase the Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft in September 2014.
The SBJ with communication and inflight-entertainment systems are the company’s first business jets acquired by an overseas customer.
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft president Ilya Tarasenko said: “The delivery of the SBJs to The Royal Thai Air Force is our debut on the global business aviation market.
“The SBJ provides premium level air service and demonstrates SCAC’s flexible approach to our customers’ preferences.”
The aircraft will provide VIP transportation services for Thai top officials and government leaders, as well as to the High Command of Thailand.
It has a four-seat VIP area, a six-seat business class area, and a passenger compartment for 50 people to ensure maximum passenger comfort.
RTAF commander-in-chief air chief marshal Treetod Sonjance said: “All steps have been completed on schedule and only some training is still in process.
“The newly manufactured Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft is now ready to be stationed in the Royal Thai Air Force to support VIP operations of Royal Thai Air Force.”
The aircraft, including the interior, were assembled in Russia while in-service maintenance support for the SBJ’s with more than 4,500km flight range will be provided in Thailand.
Image: Air Chief Marshal Treetod Sonjance, Commander-in-Chief of The Royal Thai Air Force, Ilya Tarasenko, President of SCAC, Nazario Cauceglia, CEO of SuperJet International and Marc Sorel, CEO and Chairman of PowerJet at the ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft.