The Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) has emerged as a critical lifeline for Russia’s domestic air travel, particularly connecting the country’s two largest cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, a distance of just under 340 nautical miles. While the SSJ100 is primarily used for domestic routes, its capabilities extend beyond, evidenced by past operations like a two-hour overnight flight from Oslo to Moscow.
The frequency of SSJ100 flights between Moscow and St. Petersburg has witnessed a dramatic increase, reflecting the aircraft’s growing significance. Rossiya Airlines, a subsidiary of Aeroflot, operates most of these flights in a two-class configuration with 87 seats, rather than the all-economy 100-seat variant. This decision helps mitigate the capacity shortfall caused by sanctions that restrict access to Western aircraft.
The reliance on the SSJ100 has been steadily increasing. In August 2019, prior to the conflict in Ukraine, the SSJ100 accounted for only 2.6% of the flights on this route, operating just 45 one-way services. By August 2021, this number had climbed to 121 flights (7.4%), highlighting a growing dependence even before the war’s full impact.
The numbers surged after the war began. In August 2022, just months after the conflict, with Russian airlines dismantling Western aircraft for spare parts, the SSJ100 operated 317 one-way flights (16.5%). By August 2023, this number had skyrocketed to 865 flights (44.9%), signifying that almost half of all flights between the two cities were operated by the SSJ100.
A significant milestone was reached in June 2024 with the introduction of an intensive shuttle service. As a result, by August 2024, the SSJ100 operated an impressive 2,105 one-way flights, accounting for 83% of all services on this route. In August 2024, the daily frequency of SSJ100 flights ranged from 67 to 69 each way, with similar figures anticipated for September. This surge highlights the extensive use of the SSJ100, with multiple departures scheduled throughout the day. On September 5, for example, the first flights from Moscow’s main airports to St. Petersburg are scheduled at 00:30, with the final departure at 23:55.
This high-frequency service underlines the SSJ100’s crucial role in sustaining Russia’s domestic air connectivity amid the challenges posed by sanctions. The aircraft’s increasing presence and high-volume operations illustrate its vital role in maintaining essential air travel within the country.
