Irish airline takes delivery of Russia's first post-Soviet passenger jet

CityJet became the first western European airline Tuesday to take delivery of the Russian-designed passenger jet that Vladimir Putin hopes will compete internationally with planes made by the likes of Embraer and Bombardier. The first of 15 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft leased by CityJet was delivered in Venice, the airline said, with the option for 16 more in a deal worth more than US$1b including servicing. The 89-seat Superjet 100 is the first Russian-designed passenger jet to be built since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union in a project championed by Russian president Putin. Sukhoi announced the deal with CityJet last year, describing it as a "significant milestone" for the project. CityJet said it expects to take delivery of 3 Superjets this year, with the remainder arriving from 2017. <br/>