On 26 November 2018, Adria Airways signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company regarding the long term lease of 15 aircraft type SuperJet 100.

In the last months Adria Airways has been intensively preparing for the arrival of the aircraft. While the aircraft type per se still seems very attractive, Adria Airways has not been able to finalize the contractual clauses with the Russian side. There were growing concerns on Adria´s side about SCAC´s commitment to a fair and stable long-term partnership as well as lacking common vision of further strategic development of the company.

Shareholders and management of Adria Airways therefore agreed not to continue with the partnership with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company and fleeting in of SuperJets.

“We are naturally disappointed that the collaboration with Sukhoi did not reach a successful conclusion, but the partnership was only viable if given objectives set by the strategic business plan were attainable. Unfortunately in this case, we did not think this is possible,” said Holger Kowarsch, the Managing Director of Adria Airways.

Adria will continue to focus on its existing business, consisting of four pillars: scheduled flying as the by far biggest airline in Slovenia, charter and cargo flights and flying as service provider for other airlines (ACMI business).

The structure of the fleet will remain unchanged and Adria will continue to focus on operational reliability and stability with the proven fleet of existing aircraft types.

The shareholders of Adria Airways continue to support further growth of the company and its development. Given that Adria doesn’t need to finance the transition to a new aircraft type anymore and based on its positive business plan, no additional capital increase is planned.