Are they cheaper than boeing and airbus ? What is their crash history ?
PIA does need a fleet eventually.
Well, yeah they should be much cheaper than Boeing and/or airbus. But here's the the thing. PIA can get spares for those Aircrafts from other Airliners. But where do you intend to find parts for Sukhoi and/or Irkut.
The Sukhoi Super Jet entered service over a decade back & has had 4 Accidents/Incidents, of which there were deaths on 2 of them.
The Sukhoi does have 3 Variants, but it does not change the dimensions of the aircraft. Basically, they opted to squeeze the max in cramped up seating.
The Irkut MC-21 seems more promising, but is currently still undergoing Final Testing. The UAE has taken a great deal of interest in this Aircraft. Its powered by P&W (or a Russian Engine). The aisle is huge. There can be a Service Cart in the middle of the Aircraft & passengers can easily pass by from either side.
According to Irkut it is more fuel efficient than either the a320 (Family) or the B7373's.
I believe it should be fine for domestic flights. Within Pakistan to Afghanistan, and iran. We dont need fancy plans for those short flights. Boeing and airbus should be put on routes to the middle east, far east and europe/NA.
Well if that's the case, than why bother with Russian-made Airliners that have failed (Sukhoi) or unproven (MC-21).
The best option for what you're saying would be the new a220 (formerly Bombardier C-Series) - hands down. Swiss Air was the launch customer for the small C-100 & they're more than pleased with it. airBaltic took the first C-300 & they replaced their aging B737-300 (Classics) & B757 & are placing orders for more.
Another option for small Commercial Airliners could/would be from Brazilian Embraer. They're well proven in the market with various Airlines operating their planes. jetBlue, flyNas, Saudi Arabian & Oman Air just to name a few.
I don’t trust russian made airliners.
This Super 100, first introduction flight itself was a tragedy. Stay away from it.
Your first point..., well times have changed & though there is nothing really wrong with the Sukhoi Super Jet 100, but with a configuration of hardly 120 Passengers, I fail to understand why anyone would wanna buy that Aircraft. A 120 Passengers would be like picking up a B737-200 - which did well back in the 70's & 80's, but as everyone knows that configuration failed with the B737-600 (NG) in the late 90's, early 2000's.
As for your 2nd point. I highly suggest you see the video (below) of the First Time the a320 was displayed in front of the crowd at the Paris Air Show & crashed. Today, the a320 (Family) with its Neo & XLR are leaving the B737 in the dust. I know that for a fact because I operate on the B737.
