SuperJet International
An Italian-Russian joint venture created to market, deliver, customize, and support the Sukhoi Superjet 100 and related aircraft variants.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
SuperJet International (SJI) is an aerospace joint venture established to commercialize and support the Sukhoi Superjet 100, a regional jet developed by Russia's Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company and associated industrial partners. The company was formed in July 2007 and based its main operations in Tessera, Venice, Italy. Its original ownership structure consisted of Alenia Aermacchi, the Italian aerospace company now associated with Leonardo, holding 51 percent, and Sukhoi Holding Company holding 49 percent. SJI's mandate extended well beyond aircraft sales. It was responsible for marketing and commercial activity in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa, Japan, and other international markets; customer customization; aircraft delivery; operator training; and worldwide after-sales assistance. The company also contributed to the design and development of derivatives of the Superjet 100, including the Sukhoi Business Jet and a proposed cargo variant. This gave SJI a role that combined sales organization, completion and delivery coordination, technical support, and program-development input rather than that of a conventional independent aircraft manufacturer. To support the program internationally, SJI established a branch in Moscow for logistical and technical assistance, training, and commercial services. It also created a sales office in Washington, D.C., to address the North American market. Its customer-support activities included flight-crew type-rating and recurrent training, cabin-crew transition and refresher courses, and instruction for maintenance and ground-operations personnel. The company also promoted a comprehensive per-flight-hour support arrangement known as SuperCare for Superjet 100 operators. For spare-parts distribution, SJI selected Lufthansa Technik Logistik as a global logistics provider, using facilities connected with Frankfurt Airport. The ownership relationship changed during the 2010s. In 2016, Leonardo revised its shareholding agreement and reduced its participation from the original 51 percent to 10 percent, leaving Sukhoi with the controlling share according to the referenced account. This change reflected a rebalancing of the partners' involvement in the program, although SJI continued to be identified with the international marketing and support of the Superjet family. SJI later became affected by geopolitical and regulatory developments surrounding Russia. In May 2022, Italian authorities froze assets valued at approximately 146 million euros in connection with European Union sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The asset freeze created uncertainty for the company's operations, ownership, and ability to participate in the future of the Superjet program. In March 2023, a possible transaction was announced under which United Aircraft Corporation could sell its stake in SJI to Markab Capital Investments, an investment fund based in the United Arab Emirates. The reported proposal included construction of an aircraft-assembly facility at Al Ain International Airport in Abu Dhabi, with aircraft intended to receive completion work at SJI's Venice site. The proposed transaction was described as conditional on the unfreezing of SJI assets by the European Union, and the available material does not establish that it was completed. SJI's identity is therefore closely tied to the international commercial infrastructure of the Superjet 100: market development, aircraft customization and delivery, training, spares, maintenance support, and customer-service coordination. Its later status is uncertain because of sanctions, frozen assets, the changing ownership structure, and the unresolved proposal for a new Abu Dhabi-based industrial arrangement.
History
SuperJet International was formed in July 2007 as an Italian-Russian joint venture supporting the international commercialization of the Sukhoi Superjet 100. The original partners were Alenia Aermacchi, an Italian aerospace company later associated with Leonardo, and Sukhoi Holding Company of Russia. Alenia Aermacchi held 51 percent and Sukhoi held 49 percent at formation. SJI was headquartered in Tessera, near Venice, and was assigned responsibility for international sales and marketing, customer customization, aircraft delivery, training, and global after-sales support. The company was designed to provide the Superjet program with an international commercial and support structure. Its territory included Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa, Japan, and other markets outside the aircraft's primary Russian industrial base. SJI also contributed design and development input for derivatives, particularly the Sukhoi Business Jet and a proposed cargo version. Its role consequently covered both customer-facing commercial work and selected program-development activities. SJI expanded its operating network with a Moscow branch that handled logistical and technical support, training courses, and commercial services. A sales office in Washington, D.C., was established for North American activities. Customer support included services for Superjet 100 operators, including spare-parts coordination, technical assistance, and training. The company's training center offered type-rating and recurrent instruction for flight crews, transition and refresher courses for cabin crews, and training for maintenance and ground-operations personnel. It also provided Airbus A321 full-flight-simulator training for the Airbus A320 family from 2012, serving airlines, flight schools, and private pilots. For ongoing operator support, SJI developed SuperCare, a comprehensive per-flight-hour service arrangement for Superjet 100 operators. The company also selected Lufthansa Technik Logistik as a worldwide logistics provider for SSJ100 spare-parts distribution, using logistics infrastructure associated with Frankfurt Airport. These activities positioned SJI as a support and service integrator rather than solely as a sales representative. The partnership structure changed in 2016, when Leonardo revised its shareholding agreement and reduced its participation to 10 percent. The referenced material identifies Sukhoi as holding the remaining controlling interest after that revision. This change occurred as the international Superjet program continued to face the commercial and industrial challenges common to newly introduced regional aircraft, although the available source does not provide a complete account of SJI's subsequent deliveries or financial performance. The company's later history was shaped by sanctions and the deterioration of relations between Russia and European countries. In May 2022, Italian authorities froze assets valued at approximately 146 million euros belonging to SJI under measures connected with European Union sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The action affected the company's ability to operate normally and created uncertainty around its ownership and participation in the Superjet program. In March 2023, a possible restructuring and ownership transaction was reported. Under the proposal, United Aircraft Corporation would sell its stake in SJI to Markab Capital Investments, an investment fund from the United Arab Emirates. The proposed industrial plan included constructing a new facility at Al Ain International Airport in Abu Dhabi, where aircraft would be assembled before completion at the Venice site. The proposal was conditional on SJI's frozen assets being released by the European Union. The available reference material does not confirm that the transaction closed, that the facility was built, or that SJI resumed normal operations. SJI's documented history thus runs from the creation of an international sales and support platform for the Superjet 100 to a period of ownership change, sanctions exposure, and proposed relocation or expansion of production activity. Its current operating status remains uncertain.
- 2023
Potential Abu Dhabi industrial and ownership plan announced
[1]A possible sale of the United Aircraft Corporation stake to Markab Capital Investments is reported, together with a proposed assembly facility at Al Ain International Airport.
- 2022
SJI assets are frozen in Italy
[1]Italian authorities freeze assets valued at approximately 146 million euros in connection with European Union sanctions related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- 2016
Leonardo reduces its stake
[1]Leonardo revises its shareholding agreement and reduces its participation from the original 51 percent to 10 percent.
- 2012
Expanded simulator-training services begin
[1]SJI begins providing Airbus A321 full-flight-simulator training for the Airbus A320 family alongside its Superjet-related training activities.
- 2007
SuperJet International is formed
[1]The Italian-Russian joint venture is established in July to support international marketing, sales, customization, delivery, training, and after-sales service for the Sukhoi Superjet 100.
Products and positioning
International commercial, delivery, training, and after-sales-support partner for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional-aircraft program.
Regional jet aircraft
Sukhoi Superjet 100
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 was SJI's principal commercial program. SJI handled international marketing, sales support, customer customization, aircraft delivery, operator training, and worldwide after-sales services across markets outside the core Russian industrial base. The company served as an international interface between the aircraft program and airlines, providing commercial and technical coordination rather than acting solely as an airframe manufacturer.
Business aircraft derivative
Sukhoi Business Jet
The Sukhoi Business Jet was a proposed or developed business-oriented derivative of the Superjet family for which SJI had design and development responsibilities. Its inclusion in SJI's mandate reflected the company's role in adapting the regional-jet platform for specialized customer requirements and international commercial opportunities.
Aircraft support program
SuperCare
SuperCare was a comprehensive per-flight-hour support agreement developed for Sukhoi Superjet 100 operators. It formed part of SJI's broader customer-service offering, intended to coordinate continuing support and reduce the operational burden associated with aircraft maintenance and spare-parts planning.
Aviation training
SSJ100 training services
SJI's training center provided flight-crew type-rating and recurrent courses, cabin-crew transition and refresher courses, and training for maintenance and ground-operations staff. These services supported the operational introduction and continued use of the Superjet 100 by airline customers and other operators.
Controversies
2022
Asset freeze linked to Russia sanctions
Italian authorities froze approximately 146 million euros in SJI assets under measures associated with European Union sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. The action materially increased uncertainty about the company's operations, ownership, and future participation in the Superjet program.
Brand decisions
2023
Proposed sale of the United Aircraft Corporation stakeM&ABackground
Following the freezing of SJI assets in Italy, a possible ownership and industrial restructuring was reported.
Action taken
United Aircraft Corporation was reported to be considering a sale of its stake to Markab Capital Investments, accompanied by a proposal for an assembly facility at Al Ain International Airport in Abu Dhabi and completion activity at SJI's Venice site.
Aftermath
The proposal was conditional on the release of SJI assets by the European Union. The available material does not confirm that the transaction or the proposed facility was completed.
2016
Leonardo reduces its ownership participationStrategyBackground
The original joint venture structure gave Alenia Aermacchi a 51 percent interest and Sukhoi a 49 percent interest. In 2016, the Italian partner revised the arrangement.
Action taken
Leonardo reduced its shareholding to 10 percent, leaving Sukhoi with the controlling participation according to the referenced account.
Aftermath
SJI remained associated with international marketing and support for the Superjet 100, but the change altered the balance of control between the Italian and Russian partners.
Recent events
SJI and Atlantic Shores announce green hydrogen partnership[2]
Reported:
SJI announced a partnership with Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind to collaborate on a green hydrogen pilot program in New Jersey.
SJI appoints Christopher J. Paladino to its board[3]
Reported:
SJI appointed Christopher J. Paladino to its Board of Directors. The board elected him as a director on August 14, 2020, and he will serve on the Audit and Environmental, Social and Governance committees.
Sources3 sources
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