Russian airlines have raised concerns about the performance of domestically produced spark plugs for imported SaM146 engines on the Superjet 100 aircraft. A leading business daily reports that sources close to the matter indicate a key issue: Russian-made candles offer a fraction of the lifespan of their imported counterparts.
According to industry insiders cited by the publication, the candles produced in Russia last about 100 hours, a sharp drop from the 1000 hours demonstrated by the American Unison Industries spark plugs previously used in SaM146 engines. The domestic solution currently deployed in these engines is produced by the Ufa Aggregate Production Association and has a service life of roughly 100 hours.
This reduced service life means airlines must replace spark plugs far more often, driving up operating costs. Initial estimates place the annual expenditure on spark plug replacements for a single Superjet 100 aircraft at about 11.5 million rubles, a figure that has prompted reevaluation of maintenance schedules and procurement planning by carriers in the region.
Rossiya Airlines, which operates the largest fleet of Superjet 100 aircraft, currently contains 78 airplanes equipped with SaM146 engines. The shift to the domestic spark plug could therefore have a notable financial and logistical impact on the carrier, as well as on other operators within the fleet.
Industry observers have also highlighted broader implications for regional aviation manufacturing. With Belarus reportedly planning to co-produce two light aircraft with Russia by 2026, the market dynamic for domestically produced aviation components may evolve further. Analysts note that such collaborations could influence supply chains, maintenance practices, and the overall cost structure of regional air travel.
In related news, discussions around on-board service and passenger experience continue to surface. There have been talks about enabling alcohol sales on domestic flights, a policy under consideration by national regulators and industry stakeholders. While this topic is separate from engine component performance, it reflects ongoing efforts to modernize and adapt the aviation sector to evolving expectations and regulatory frameworks.
Overall, the current situation underscores the importance of reliable, cost-effective propulsion and support hardware for modern regional jets. Airlines, manufacturers, and regulators are watching closely as domestic suppliers scale up production, seeking to balance performance, durability, and affordability in a competitive market where every hour of engine life translates into significant operational considerations. Cited analyses and statements from industry sources have been reported by respected business outlets, including Vedomosti, to illustrate the practical consequences of this shift in the supply chain for SaM146 engines.