MOSCOW, — Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) has extended the operational service life of Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) aircraft powered by SaM146 engines to 20 years, 40,000 flight hours, or 20,000 flight cycles.
The Main Change Approval (MCA), incorporated into the aircraft’s type certificate data sheet on September 29, 2026, covers the RRJ-95B-100 and extended-range RRJ-95LR-100 variants. It replaces the previous limits of 15 years, 25,000 flight hours, and 15,000 flight cycles, established in 2023.
According to manufacturer Yakovlev, the extension is based on structural calculations, full-scale testing of airframe components, and analysis of operational experience. The assessment covers structural strength, fatigue life, and corrosion resistance. SSJ program chief designer Vladimir Lavrov said the revised limits confirm the aircraft’s structural reliability. Yakovlev is continuing work to reach the original design targets of 25 years, 70,000 flight hours, and 54,000 flight cycles in stages.
Operating Under Western Sanctions
The SSJ-100 entered series production in 2011. Its SaM146 engines were developed by PowerJet, a joint venture between France’s Safran and Russia’s NPO Saturn, part of the United Engine Corporation (UEC).
Western sanctions in 2022 disrupted engine maintenance, technical support, and spare-parts supplies. PowerJet suspended its contractual obligations in February 2022, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended the SaM146 engine type certificate in July 2022.
Russian operators have continued maintaining the aircraft using existing stocks and domestic capabilities. Russia currently operates 154 SaM146-powered SSJ-100s, including aircraft flown by Rossiya Airlines, part of the Aeroflot Group, Azimuth, and Red Wings.
PD-8 Engine and SJ-100 Programme
To reduce dependence on foreign components, Russia has developed the Yakovlev SJ-100, which replaces the SaM146 with the domestically developed PD-8 turbofan engine.
The PD-8 received type certification from Rosaviatsia in June 2026 after accumulating more than 6,500 operating hours in testing. Serial production has begun, and the first production engines were delivered in August 2026. Certification of the fully localised SJ-100 is continuing, with a significant portion of flight testing completed. Russia is also considering installing PD-8 engines on some existing SSJ-100 aircraft, with development work targeted for completion around 2027.
Export Plans and Certification History
Russia has expressed interest in exporting SaM146-powered SSJ-100s to countries that have not adopted Western sanctions. Such markets could potentially allow Safran to resume engine support and spare-parts supplies, subject to applicable restrictions and the availability of services.
The SSJ-100 became the first Russian passenger aircraft to receive EASA type certification when the agency issued Type Certificate A-176 for the RRJ-95B on February 3, 2012, validating its earlier Russian certification from January 2011. This enabled operations by European airlines and provided a certification basis for markets that follow European aviation standards.
The service life extension supports the continued operation of Russia’s existing SSJ-100 fleet while the country advances the PD-8-powered SJ-100 as a domestically supported alternative.
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