Russia keeps Safran busy

Russia is one of Safran’s fastest growing markets, perhaps the fastest growing, with business here increasing at more than 30% year-on-year in recent times. "It’s true that we started from a low base," says Marc Ventre, Safran’s deputy CEO and COO, "but now we have 500 people employed here and EUR500 million in sales." Engines are the power behind Safran’s rising Russian figures. There are now more than 880 CFM56 turbofans in service with airlines here and more than 1,300 on order.

The 50:50 joint venture with NPO Saturn that has designed, built and delivered the SaM 146 engine for Sukhoi’s Superjet has now produced about 70 engines with about 60 in service. The engine is, says Ventre "meeting all its specified performance levels and customer guarantees." Safran adds the Superjet’s first revenue flight with its first Western operator (Mexico’s Interjet) is imminent and this will be another major milestone for the program. Engine production is currently running at two-to-three per month and will rise to four per month by the end of the year, to match aircraft production. Safran says that while it is still interested in finding new applications for the SaM 146 its focus today is on supporting the production ramp-up and delivering customer support.