Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) on April 10, 2018, received the approval of the major modification for Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) type certificate that allows flights to Arctic latitudes up to 78.25.

SCAC commenced additional trials on its Superjet 100 – a new-generation regional jetliner – on March 24, 2018, to test it for airports located at up to 78.25 north latitudes, Russian Aviation Insider writes. The jetliner was previously cleared only for bases at up to 78 degrees north.

The tests with SCAC’s prototype Superjet, serial number 95005, were performed on Norway’ Svalbard archipelago, the island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic Ocean, where the world‘s northernmost commercial airport is located.

Due to the “peculiarities” of flight operations in the Arctic, the behavior of the jet’s equipment – particularly the inertial navigation system – needed to be examined.

The trials confirmed that the setting zone for the Superjet’s inertial navigation system may be successfully broadened to perform flights from home airfields situated within latitudes of up to 78.25, Russian Aviation reports.

Following the successful test results, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency issued the approval for the major modification for the SSJ100 type certificate.