MOSCOW (AP) -- The first test flight of Russia's SuperJet should take place within a month, according to a media report quoting a top official at the Sukhoi airplane maker.
The SuperJet is seen as Russia's chance to get a competitive foothold in the international passenger airline market. Russia has failed to make inroads in international competition because of outdated designs and engines that fall below Western noise and emissions standards.
The SuperJet seats around 75 people. Sukhoi recently said that deliveries expected to begin this year would be postponed because of delayed test flights.
But the RIA-Novosti news agency quotes Sukhoi civil aviation vice president Maxim Grishanin as saying Wednesday that the first tests will take place within a month.
